An Egyptian court has confirmed death sentences against the spiritual guide of the Muslim Brotherhood and 182 supporters, in a mass trial of Islamists who ruled Egypt for a year but face a fierce crackdown under new President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The court's verdict against Dr Badie comes as Australian journalist Peter Greste and his al-Jazeera colleagues Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed await a ruling in their own case, which is expected to be delivered on Monday, June 23.

Armoured police vehicles advance on protesters during a rally against anti-protest legislation in Cairo on Saturday. Credit:Reuters

Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and other defendants were charged in connection with violence that erupted in the southern town of Minya following the ousting of Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi last July, led by then army chief Sisi.

One police officer was killed in the violence.