Brussels, 17/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 16 June, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said the confirmation earlier in the day of the death sentences for six people - including Egypt's former president Mohammed Morsi - who are being prosecuted for massive prison escapes followed by violence in the events of 2011 (see EUROPE 11316) was the “result of mass trial” and “a worrying development”.
In a statement, Mogherini reiterates that the EU is opposed to capital punishment under all circumstances and expects these sentences to be revised in the appeals procedure.
An hour before this ruling, Morsi had been sentenced by the same law court - in a mass trial - to life imprisonment, although in an initial trial, he was sentenced to death. Some of his supporters had their death penalty commuted to life imprisonment, and others were sentenced to imprisonment for “conspiring with foreign groups”. “These sentences and procedures are in breach of Egypt's obligations under international law”, Mogherini stated.
“The EU reiterates its call on the Egyptian authorities to abide by their international obligations, to uphold the right to a fair trial and safeguard due legal process, including the defendants' rights' to a fair trial based on clear charges and proper and independent investigations”, Mogherini stated. She reiterated that stability and the rule of law needed to be guaranteed.
With these last sentences, over 600 members of the Muslim Brotherhood or related groups have been sentenced to death in the first instance since Morsi was ousted in July 2013. Many death sentences have been annulled by the Court of Cassation. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)