An Egyptian court sentenced ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi to 20 years in prison on Tuesday over the killings of protesters in 2012 - the first verdict to be issued against the country's first freely elected leader.

The ruling, which can be appealed, reflects the dramatic downfall of Morsi and the drastic challenges facing Egypt since its 2011 uprising that forced longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak from power.

Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood group rose swiftly to power in elections after Mubarak's removal. But they found themselves behind bars a year later when millions protested against them for abusing power and when the military overthrew the government.