DHAKA: The United States is ‘deeply concerned’ about an Egyptian court decision to seek the death penalty for former president Mohamed Mursi.
A State Department official said on Sunday, reports The Straits Times.
The US criticism follows condemnations from Amnesty International and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan after the court ruling on Saturday against the deposed president and 106 supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood in connection with a mass jail break in 2011.
The ruling against Mursi is not final until June 2. All capital sentences are referred to Egypt’s top religious authority, the Grand Mufti, for a non-binding opinion, and are also subject to legal appeal.
‘We are deeply concerned by yet another mass death sentence handed down by an Egyptian court to more than 100 defendants, including former president Mursi,’ the State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
‘We have consistently spoken out against the practice of mass trials and sentences, which are conducted in a manner that is inconsistent with Egypt’s international obligations and the rule of law.’
BDST: 1223 HRS, MAY 17, 2015
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