Egypt sentences 75 to death, hundreds to jail over 2013 sit-in

By Haitham Ahmed and John Davison

 

Egyptian photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, also known as Shawkan, smokes cigarette behind a fence during his trial in Cairo, Egypt, September 8, 2018. REUTERS/Shokry Hussein

 

CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian court on Saturday issued death sentences for 75 people, including prominent Islamist leaders, and jailed more than 600 others over a 2013 sit-in which ended with the killing of hundreds of protesters by security forces.

 

The sentencing concluded the mass trial of some 700 people accused of offences including murder and inciting violence during the pro-Muslim Brotherhood protest at Rabaa Adawiya square in Cairo.

 

The government says many protesters were armed and that eight members of the security forces were killed. It initially said more than 40 police had died.

 

Rights groups say more than 800 protesters died in the single most deadly incident during the unrest that followed Egypt's 2011 popular uprising. Amnesty International condemned Saturday's decision, calling the trial "disgraceful".

 

In Saturday's hearing at the vast Tora prison complex south of Cairo, a criminal court sentenced to death by hanging several prominent Islamists including senior Brotherhood leaders Essam al-Erian and Mohamed Beltagi and preacher Safwat Higazi.

 

Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Mohamed Badie and dozens more were given life sentences, judicial sources said. Others received jail sentences ranging from five to 15 years.

 

Cases were dropped against five people who had died while in prison, judicial sources said, without giving further details.

 

Following weeks of protests in 2013 against the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi by the military -- led at the time by Egypt's current president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi -- security forces violently broke up the demonstrators at Rabaa square.

 

They arrested hundreds of people who were charged with inciting violence, murder and organising illegal protests.

 

Rights groups have criticised the trial for including many peaceful protesters and journalists.

 

An award-winning photographer who covered the protests, Mahmoud Abu Zeid, was sentenced to five years in jail, but would soon be released because his five years in detention during the trial are counted towards the sentence, judicial sources said.

 

Abu Zeid, also known as Shawkan, was awarded a United Nations press freedom prize this year. He was charged with belonging to a banned group and possessing firearms.

 

"MOCKERY OF JUSTICE"

 

"We condemn today's verdict in the strongest terms," Amnesty International said in a statement. "The fact that not a single police officer has been brought to account ... shows what a mockery of justice this trial was."

 

Since Sisi was elected president in 2014, authorities have justified a crackdown on dissent and freedoms as being directed at militants and saboteurs trying to undermine the state.

 

Death sentences have been handed down to hundreds of his political opponents on charges such as belonging to an illegal organisation or planning to carry out an attack.

 

Supporters say a security crackdown is needed to stabilise Egypt, which still faces an Islamist insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula and is reeling financially from years of unrest.

 

Critics say the erosion of freedoms and silencing of political opponents is the worst Egypt has seen in its modern history.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-09-08

 

Cases were dropped against five people who had died while in prison, judicial sources said, without giving further details.

 

Not much point in carrying on with the cases if they are dead, wonder what the further details will throw up, suicides the old favourite maybe!

Edited September 8, 20187 yr by maxcorrigan

The world needs to condemn this atrocity.

35 minutes ago, pegman said:

The world needs to condemn this atrocity.

If it's not Israel, then no one cares 

True, but it is it's own supporters that keep it in the spotlight. Works for and against it. 

2 hours ago, bangkokbanjo said:

If it's not Israel, then no one cares 

Demonstrably untrue given the content in the OP.

That means, many more Egyptians will inundate Europe for asylum, (falsely) claiming they took part in the protest but didn't get caught so far, and thus there is no chance to send them back.

Edited September 9, 20187 yr by Lupatria

...simple question:

 

...'When is Egypt, no longer Egypt?'...

 

....(you can ask the same for several nations in the past few decades...)

 

...since that 6 (?) country 'hit list' was created and pursued...

 

***

 

...it is no accident how countries are infiltrated....and controlled...they don't ...'just change'....