Egypt to step up military trials after Sinai attack

Family members of security forces killed in Sinai on Friday react near an army vehicle as they wait for the bodies of their relatives at Almaza military airbase in Cairo October 25, 2014. REUTERS/Al Youm Al Saabi Newspaper

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt expanded the jurisdiction of military courts on Monday to try civilians accused of attacking state facilities or blocking roads, following some of the worst assaults on security forces since last year's ousting of Islamist President Mohammed Mursi.

The measure, approved by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, is likely to be seen by his critics as another clampdown on dissent by a government that has jailed thousands of Mursi's supporters and targeted other activists.