Egypt court confirms Morsi death sentence over jailbreak
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 June 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Egypt court confirms Morsi death sentence over jailbreak, 16 June 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55b5f3bf11.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 16, 2015
An Egyptian court has upheld a death sentence against ousted Islamist president Muhammad Morsi for plotting jailbreaks and attacks on police during the 2011 uprising.
Then army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ousted Morsi on July 3, 2013, and since then has overseen a sweeping crackdown against his supporters.
The White House said it was "deeply troubled" by what it called the "politically motivated" death sentence against Morsi. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply concerned" by the move, which he said "may well have a negative impact on the prospects for long-term stability in Egypt."
The court had initially sentenced Morsi and more than 100 other defendants to death last month.
The ruling on June 16 comes after the court consulted Egypt's grand mufti, the government interpreter of Islamic law who plays an advisory role.
Earlier on June 16, the same court sentenced Morsi, the country's first democratically elected president, to life in prison on charges of spying for the Palestinian Hamas movement, Lebanon's Shi'ite Hizballah, and Iran.
These latest verdicts can be appealed.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
