Gunmen opened fire on a vehicle in North Sinai’s al-Arish city leaving four prosecutors and a driver dead on Saturday, Egypt’s state television reported.
The vehicle was on its way to court when the attack occurred.
Police sources said the attack was carried out by militants belonging to the Sinai-based militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis.
The sources believe the attack came in response to a court decision earlier today to refer ousted Islamist President Mohamed Mursi to the Grand Mufti, a step that must be taken in Egypt’s court system ahead of issuing a death sentence.
Ansar is Egypt’s most notorious militant group and has claimed more responsibility for militant attacks across Egypt than any other group.
It changed its name to Sinai Province after pledging allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State fighters, last year.
Most of the group’s attacks are carried out in the north of the Sinai peninsula.
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