18/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - EU calls for fair trials. On 17 March, after the preliminary death sentences of 13 Muslim Brothers and their leader Mohammed Badie, the European Union reiterated its call to the Egyptian judicial authorities to ensure the defendants' rights to a fair and timely trial based on clear charges and proper and independent investigations - in line with international standards. The Muslim Brothers were sentenced to death “for planning to use force against the state”. Badie had already been sentenced to death in another affair for which he was being re-tried and he had been sentenced to prison four times for life. The Muslim Brotherhood has been considered a terrorist organisation since 2013. “The EU reiterates its opposition to capital punishment under all circumstances”, said a spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)