Denunciations of Egyptian activists jail sentence, 16 Muslim brothers sentenced
Egypt, Politics, 7/31/2002

The Egyptian military court on Tuesday issued prison sentences against 16 activists of the banned Ikhwan al-Muslimin ( Muslim Brothers) group for periods ranging between three to five years. The sentences were issued under charges of provoking sedition and attempt to topple the regime.

On the other hand, the US has expressed regret over condemning the Egyptian activist in the human rights field Saad Eddine Ibrahim to seven year imprisonment. It said "We are deeply disappointed at today's decision by Egypt's State Security Court to convict Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim, an Egyptian and American citizen, of the charges of illegally receiving funds from foreign entities and defaming Egypt."

While Egypt refused to consider the trial as political, Ibrahim's lawyers said they are waiting to appeal the sentence before the court of cassation.

The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher commented on a statement issued on Monday by the US embassy in Cairo that and said the issue was considered by the Egyptian judiciary, adding "that it was not a political case, so, no certain embassy had the right to comment on similar cases."

The EU commissioner for foreign political affairs, Chris Patten, denounced the sentence. He warned that " these sentences against an advocate of democracy, well known and internationally recognized and against collaborators with him raises deep regret in Egypt's friends abroad."

Previous Stories:
  Egypt extends custody for 24 Islamists, 101 Muslim brothers members   (7/25/2002)
  Egypt: 34 Muslim brothers members arrested   (7/22/2002)
  Pope Shenouda highlights Egypt's religious tolerance; improvements needed   (5/31/2002)
  Mubarak: Egypt rejects any foreign interference   (7/10/2001)
  The details of court sentence in the case of Ibn Khaldoun Center   (6/19/2001)

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