Concerns of the EC regarding the news of the mass death sentence in Egypt

Concerns of the EC regarding the news of the mass death sentence in Egypt

11.06.2014 La rédaction

Three MP asked the European commission to react to the case  Egyptian court sentenced to death hundreds of adherents of Mohamed Morsi.

Question for written answer E-004235/14 to the Commission.Marc Tarabella (S&D), Franco Frigo (S&D) and Jean Louis Cottigny (S&D)

(4 April 2014)

Subject: Muslim Brotherhood — Egypt

On Monday, 24 March, an Egyptian court sentenced to death hundreds of adherents of Mohamed Morsi (the ousted ex-President).

In relation to this historic judgment, Gamal Eid, a legal expert and head of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, has deplored ‘a disaster, a masquerade and a scandal which will affect Egypt for years’.

What is the Commission’s reaction to this case?

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the Commission

(11 June 2014)

The HR/VP expressed utmost concern by the EU regarding the news of the mass death sentence issued by a criminal court in Minya in upper Egypt in a statement issued on 24 March. These concerns were firmly reiterated by the HR/VP during her face-to-face meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi in Brussels on 31 March, as well as during meetings with all the relevant authorities in the course of her mission to Cairo between 9 and 11 April.

The EU also deplores the lack of due process in the two-day summary proceedings in which the defendants were tried as a group rather than on the merits of individual cases, against the most basic standards of justice. The EU further believes that capital punishment can never be justified, and that a fair trial must always be ensured, as well as adequate detention conditions.

The EU is closely following up this case in Cairo, asking the interim authorities to undertake all the necessary steps to guarantee a fair trial based on clear charges and proper and independent investigations, as well as the right of access and contact to lawyers and family members.

News

Terrorist attack in Doweika neighborhood

Terrorist attack in Doweika neighborhood

30.05.2014 La rédaction

An explosive device, intended to target police officers, detonated prematurely in Doweika neighborhood, Cairo city, Cairo governorate, Egypt. The assailant, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood was killed in the blast.

No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Sources

Global terrorism Database

“Bomb explodes in Cairo, 1 injured,” The Daily Star Online, May 30, 2014.”

“Bomb explodes in Cairo, 1 injured,” lebanon Daily Star, May 30, 2014.”

“Brotherhood member injured by home-made bomb in Cairo – agency,” BBC Monitoring Middle East – Political Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring, May 30, 2014.”

News

Tamarod activist shot

Tamarod activist shot

26.05.2014 La rédaction

Assailants shot and killed a Tamarod Political Movement campaign worker in Kerdasa village, Giza governorate, Egypt.

He was a candidate aide during the elections.

No group claimed responsibility; however, officials attributed the attack to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Sources

Global terrorism Database

“Campaign worker slain during first day of Egyptian election,” CNN, May 26, 2014.”

“Egypt candidate’s aide shot in attack,” CNN, May 26, 2014.”

“FYI — Egypt: Pro-Al-Sisi Movement Representative Says Member Killed By ‘Brotherhood’,” CBC TV, May 26, 2014.”

News

Explosive device near a mosque

Explosive device near a mosque

22.05.2014 La rédaction

Assailants attempted to plant an explosive device near a mosque in Helwan neighborhood, Cairo city, Cairo governorate, Egypt. Two assailants, members of the Muslim Brotherhood were killed when the device detonated prematurely.

No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Sources

Global terrorism database

“Two killed in blast in Egyptian capital,” World Bulletin, May 22, 2014.”

“Interior Ministry – Two Muslim Brotherhood…,” AllAfrica.com, May 23, 2014.”

“Two killed in south Cairo bombing,” Al Ahram, May 22, 2014.”

News

Traffic checkpoint on fire (Mahalah al-Kubra)

Traffic checkpoint on fire (Mahalah al-Kubra)

11.04.2014 La rédaction

Assailants attempted to set a traffic checkpoint on fire in Mahalah al-Kubra city, Gharbia governorate, Egypt. Two assailants were killed by authorities. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Sources

Global terrorism database

“Egypt army kills leading extremist figure in Sinai,” Xinhua General News Service, April 11, 2014.”

“Two Brotherhood members die in shootout with Egypt police,” Arab News, April 11, 2014.”

“Two Muslim Brotherhood members killed in Egypt clashes =,” The Hindu, April 11, 2014.”

News

Vehicles damaged in an attack (Helwan)

Vehicles damaged in an attack (Helwan)

20.03.2014 La rédaction

Assailants threw incendiary devices at a traffic unit building in Helwan city, Cairo governorate, Egypt. There were no reported casualties; however, several vehicles were damaged in the attack. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, sources attributed the attack to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Sources

Global terrorism database

“Unknown Assailants Torch Security Checkpoint in Gharbiya Village,” AllAfrica.com, March 21, 2014.”

“‘Brotherhood supporters’ torch police traffic unit in south Cairo,” Ahram Online, March 21, 2014.”

“‘Brotherhood supporters’ torch police traffic unit in south Cairo,” Al Ahram, March 20, 2014.”

News

Attack on Egyptian Armed Forces

Attack on Egyptian Armed Forces

15.03.2014 La rédaction

Assailants attacked an Egyptian Armed Forces checkpoint in Shubra Al-Kheima area, Cairo city, Cairo governorate, Egypt. At least six soldiers were killed and an unknown number of people were wounded in the attack. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, Egyptian Armed Forces officials attributed the attack to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Sources

Global terrorism database

“Police officers killed at Cairo checkpoint,” Al Jazeera, March 15, 2014.”

“Gunmen kill 6 army officers near Cairo,” Qatar Peninsula, March 16, 2014.”

“Five Egyptian soldiers shot dead in Cairo,” Frontier Post, March 15, 2014.”

News

Assailants opened fire on a military bus (Cairo)

Assailants opened fire on a military bus (Cairo)

13.03.2014 La rédaction

Assailants opened fire on a military bus in Cairo city, Cairo governorate, Egypt. At least one soldier was killed and three others were wounded in the attack. Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (Ansar Jerusalem) claimed responsibility for the incident and stated that the attack was carried out in retaliation to commentary made by a military spokesperson regarding military operations against armed groups. However, officials attributed the incident to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Sources

Global terrorism database

“Egypt’s army blames Muslim Brotherhood for attack on army bus,” Reuters, March 13, 2014.”

“Masked gunmen attack army bus in Cairo,” Al Jazeera, March 13, 2014.”

“Gunmen attack army bus in Cairo, kill 1 soldier,” The Associated Press, March 13, 2014.”

News

Assassination of Abdallah Metwally

Assassination of Abdallah Metwally

28.02.2014 La rédaction

Assailants opened fire on Sergeant Abdallah Metwally in Mansoura city, Dakahlia governorate, Egypt. Metwally, a police officer assigned to guard the judge overseeing the trial of former President Mohamed Morsi, was killed in the assault. No group claimed responsibility; however, sources attributed the attack to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Sources

Global terrorism database

“Egypt’s judges are demanding special police to protect them from threats Brotherhood,” Elaph, September 13, 2014.”

“Guard of judge overseeing Morsi’s case shot dead in Nile Delta,” Ahram Online, March 1, 2014.”

“Egypt gunmen kill police guard of Morsi judge,” Alarab Online, February 28, 2014.”

News

Explosive device detonated in Kafr al-Zayat

Explosive device detonated in Kafr al-Zayat

10.02.2014 La rédaction

An explosive device detonated in Kafr al-Zayat area, Gharbia governorate, Egypt. There were no reported casualties in the blast. This was one of five explosions in Gharbia by the same group on this date. The Muslim Brotherhood claimed responsibility for the incident.

Sources : Global Terrorism database

“Egypt: 5 ‘Terrorist’ Cells Arrested in Al-Gharbiyah for Attacking Public, Private, Police Properties,” Al-Yawm al-Sabi Online, November 19, 2014.”

“Five explosions in Al-Gharbeya Governorate,” Business Standard India, October 2, 2014.”

News