A security official and the website of state newspaper Al-Ahram say an Egyptian military court has sentenced to death eight alleged Muslim Brotherhood members on terrorism charges.

The Sunday verdict sentenced another 12 to life in prison and another six to 15 years. Two have been acquitted, and two were convicted in absentia.

Military prosecutors had accused the defendants of belonging to an illegal group and plotting to assassinate police and army personnel. The verdict can still be appealed.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't allowed to brief reporters.

Earlier this month, an Egyptian court recommended the death sentence against six people.

The Brotherhood was banned and declared a terrorist group after the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.