Brussels, 05/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 4 February, the European Union criticised the holding of a mass trial in Egypt the same day of 230 defendants and 39 minors. The EU stated that this “violates Egypt's international human rights obligations”.
“The EU calls on the Egyptian authorities to abide by their international obligations, to uphold the right to a fair trial and safeguard due legal process”, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini stated.
The 230 activists in the revolt that brought Hosni Mubarak down from power were sentenced to life in prison, which in Egypt means 25 years in prison. The activist and blogger Ahmed Douma, who led the Egyptian uprising on 25 January 2011, was among those who were sentenced. With the exception of Douma, who is 26 years old, they were all sentenced in absentia because a previous court had released the 229 accused. The minors were sentenced to ten years in prison for clashes between protesters and the police in December 2011. All the accused, both under and over 18 years of age, were found guilty of attacking the police and setting fire to state buildings, and they will have to pay a fine collectively of €1.9 million. The people who have been sentenced can appeal the verdict.
Mogherini's spokesperson said that the EU would continue to support Egypt in its political transition and to respond to the hopes of Egyptian people as expressed during the revolution in January 2011. (CG)