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Egyptian protesters blast death sentence against Morsi, others

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi (R), who was recently sentenced to death, gestures during his new trial in Cairo on May 23, 2015 (AFP photo).

Egyptian protesters have taken to the streets across the country, condemning the death sentences served to Egypt's first democratically-elected President Mohamed Morsi and 105 others.

The rallies, held in Beni Suef, the capital of Beni Suef Province in the northeast, as well as several other cities, saw demonstrators chanting anti-government slogans.

Demonstrations held in the al-Sharqia Province, also situated in the country’s northeast, reportedly turned violent after unknown men attacked the protesters.

Former President Mohamed Morsi and the other defendants were handed the death sentence by an Egyptian court on May 16 for a mass jailbreak during Egypt’s 2011 revolution against long-time dictator, Hosni Mubarak. The judgment is referred to the country's Grand Mufti for his non-binding opinion.

Solidarity demonstrations have been held in various cities worldwide since the issuance of the death sentences.

Hundreds gathered in Paris on Saturday, waving Egyptian flags at Place de la Republique (Republic Square) and shouting, “Silence kills” and “We want justice.” The day also witnessed thousands rallying in the occupied Palestinian territories in condemnation of the sentences.

Female Palestinian protesters take part in a demonstration against the death sentence served to former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, in the town of Kfar Kana, in the northern occupied Palestinian territories on May 23, 2015 (AFP photo).

 

Morsi, who rose to power as part of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood movement, was elected president in 2012, only to be ousted a year later in a military coup on July 4, 2013 by Mubarak-era army chief Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

The former military chief later campaigned for and won the country’s presidency in controversial elections.

The Sisi administration has been cracking down on any opposition since Morsi's ouster, banning the Muslim Brotherhood movement and arresting thousands of its members and supporters.

HN/GHN/HMV


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