Egypt court sentences US-Egyptian citizen to life in prison
“Egyptian authorities are using my father to pressure Mohammed into ending his hunger strike, but he continues to refuse,” said Omar, adding that the family plans to appeal the sentences.
The case is rooted in the violence that swept Egypt after the military-led ouster in July 2013 of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, a veteran Brotherhood leader, whose supporters set up protest camps in Cairo. Security forces violently dispersed the sit-ins in August 2013, killing hundreds. In retaliation, many police stations and churches came under attack.
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who as army chief had overthrown Morsi amid mass protests against the Islamist leader, issued a decree in November that allows him to deport foreign defendants convicted or accused of crimes.
“We’re hoping that Mohammed will be deported from Egypt under that new law,” said Omar. The government has given no indication that such a move is under consideration.
None of the defendants were present in the courtroom as Judge Mohammed Nagi Shehata read out his ruling. Shehata has a reputation for issuing harsh sentences against perceived government critics. Last year he sentenced three journalists from Al-Jazeera English to jail terms ranging from seven to 10 years, a verdict that exposed Egypt to widespread allegations of suppressing media freedom.
The State Department said the U.S. government is “deeply disappointed” by the court’s decision.
“We remain deeply concerned about Mr. Soltan’s health and detention,” spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement. “The United States reiterates our call for the release of Mr. Soltan on humanitarian grounds, and we urge the Government of Egypt to redress the verdict.”
Since Morsi’s ouster, Egypt has faced international criticism for conducting mass trials with judges rapidly issuing severe sentences.
Mohamed Elmessiry, the Egypt researcher for rights group Amnesty International, said in a phone interview that Saturday’s verdicts were “politically motivated.”
via NorthEast Calling http://ift.tt/1O2Tqiw
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