Foreign Ministry defends judiciary

With widespread international condemnation of the mass death sentences handed out by an Egyptian court on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated previous statements, slamming foreign interference and stressing on the independence of the judiciary. 

In a statement from the ministry, Spokesperson Badr Abdel Aty stated that Egypt is calling on the international community to "respect the independence of its judiciary."

Abdel Aty also added that the ruling is not final, since Egypt’s Grand Mufti has yet to officially endorse it. 

On Monday, a Minya Criminal Court sentenced 683 alleged supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood to death on charges of killing a policeman and storming a police station last year. The same court reversed an earlier mass death sentence of 429 defendants, also alleged Muslim Brotherhood members and supporters, by upholding the death sentence for 37 defendants and giving life sentences to the remainder.

“Today’s verdict, like the one last month, defies even the most basic standards of international justice. This verdict cannot be reconciled with Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law,” the White House said in a statement on Monday. Similar reactions came out of France, the UK, Sweden and the United Nations.

The rulings and the reactions that ensued took place as Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy braces for meetings with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday.

According to the state-owned Middle East News Agency, Fahmy's meeting agenda with Kerry on Tuesday includes the issue of the Renaissance Dam, which is a contentious matter between Egypt and Ethiopia over access to the Nile river. The talks will also address US-Egypt relations, where Fahmy reiterated the importance of preserving the strategic relation between the two countries. 

However, observers speculated on whether Fahmy will include talking points to address criticism of Egypt’s judiciary in the aftermath of the rulings.

Some also wondered whether the rulings will add to the conflict over Egypt’s eligibility for continued military support from the US, an issue that was raised in the wake of the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi and the subsequent pro-military government take-over last summer.

In a press briefing from the US State Department on the eve of Fahmy’s visit to DC, Spokesperson Jen Psaki commented on the US plan to resume shipping of Apache helicopters to Egypt, an indication that, despite claims that suggest otherwise, aid to Egypt will recommence even in the face of violations. 

"As you know, Egypt faces significant and growing threats from extremist groups, particularly in the Sinai, and in the past several months has used Apache helicopters as a significant component of its counter-terrorism operations in the Sinai. So we believe these new helicopters will help the Egyptian government counter extremists, which is also, of course, a step that helps the United States, Egypt, as well as Israel," she said. 

She added that, "Egypt is an important strategic partner for the United States. We remain committed to a strong relationship. We have many common interests. That doesn’t change the fact that there are still steps, as we’ve noted a number of times, they need to take in terms of their democratic transition.”