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Tag: MOhammed Morsi

  • Mohammed Morsi (8 August 1951 – 17 June 2019)

    • Irritant secularists loved to hate; or abiding morsel of Islamist trouble for Egypt?

    Many would dismiss Mohammed Morsi (1951-2019), the Egyptian former president that on June 17 collapsed and died virtually in the dock, as an Islamic suicide that mercifully got his wish. But those in the Morsi camp (and indeed not a few neutrals or even liberals) would warn against such cavalier conclusion, given the never-forget-never-forgive ethos of Morsi’s Egypt Muslim Brotherhood; adding that the country faces testy times ahead.

    True, the late Morsi was a democrat’s nightmare, though he won the first truly democratic election ever in royalist Egypt turned a military redoubt.  His Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) won a wafer-thin margin. Yet Morsi interpreted that 51-49 percentage victory as robust referendum to sink what his opponents fairly thought was an Islamist claw into Egypt. His FJP clearly thought, in another macabre and tragic interpretation, it had a free and just mandate to Islamise an Egypt society proud of its secularism; and which flaunts its status as perhaps the most cosmopolitan of the Arab states.

    To amend Egypt constitution, and recast the country in the image of the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi armed himself with a presidential decree to legislate without judicial oversight, a clearly undemocratic move targeted at the basically secular-minded Egypt Supreme Constitutional Court, sure to conk the constitutional manoeuvre. But the Morsi subterfuge also caused a mass protest calling for the president to resign. That protest, in which the liberals teamed up with the old reactionaries, tragically rolled back the gains of democracy that vaulted Morsi and his party to power.

    Though the president would lift the controversial decree, it was too late to save his presidency – as an opposition medley, headed by Morsi’s defence minister, Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, but which included opposition leader, Mohammed ElBaradei, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb and Coptic Pope Tawadros II, ousted the president; and announced Adly Mansour, president of the Constitutional Court of Egypt, as interim president. That was on July 3, 2013, a year and a few days after he took power, on  June 30, 2012.

    Since then, however, has the Egyptian state been fair to Morsi and his tendencies? Hardly. Indeed, a Muslim Brotherhood protest against Morsi’s ouster was crushed in what is now known as the August 2013 Rabaa massacre. Some 817 civilians were killed, forcing opposition leader and respected international figure Elbaradei to pull out of the military-led alliance that ousted Morsi, to protest the massacre.  Egypt was back to the Hosni Mubarak era of democracy without democracy; and el-Sisi, another former army General, was shortly after, back as “elected” president.

    Since that time, Morsi had been in a relay of trials, one of which grossed him life gaol; the procedure of which had been declared an outrage and the life gaol shunted aside. Still, the state held on to Morsi, seldom allowing him to see his family; and even getting consultation and treatment from his choice doctors, even if it was an open secret that he suffered from hypertension and diabetes. His slump and death in the dock was during one of those marathon court appearances. Yet, Morsi was defiant all through.

    History would blame Morsi for his tragic inflexibility, which not only shuttered his Muslim Brotherhood’s dream of a more Islamist Egypt but also put paid to Egypt’s chance at a fresh start, on a fresh democratic slate. Indeed, a more flexible and accommodating Morsi would perhaps have ended the reign of the Egypt generals, just as the generals ended the reign of the Egypt royals.

    But history would also be no less harsh on the Egyptian state, particularly if things turned out for the worse.  It is unlikely Morsi and co’s fanatical bid would end with his sudden expiry in court. Indeed, there appears the possibility of a dangerous flare in Egypt’s Islamist temper; as not a few are already saying Morsi was martyred for a cause.

    Egypt faces testy times. But the present rulers must learn from Morsi’s fatal inflexibility; and adopt a much more flexible and conciliatory course, to navigate the looming dangerous times.

  • Breaking: Former Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi dies in court

    Former Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi who was ousted in 2013 has died in Court.

    Morsi reportedly died on Monday after a court session where he was facing espionage charges. He was 67.

    He was Egypt’s first democratically elected president, but lasted only one year in power before being ousted by the military on 3 July 2013.

    Read Also: Egypt court quashes Morsi life sentence

    The military’s move followed days of mass anti-government protests and Morsi’s rejection of an ultimatum from the generals to resolve Egypt’s worst political crisis since Hosni Mubarak was deposed in 2011

     

    Details shortly…

  • Egypt court quashes Morsi life sentence

    Egypt court quashes Morsi life sentence

    Egypt’s highest appeal court has overturned a life sentence handed down to ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

    The Court of Cassation ordered that the 65-year-old be retried on the charge of conspiring to commit terrorist acts with foreign organisations, the BBC reports.

    Last week, the court quashed a death sentence handed to Morsi in a separate case revolving around a mass prison break during the 2011 revolution.

    But he is still serving lengthy sentences related to two other cases.

    Morsi was elected president in 2012 but was removed by the military a year later after protests against his rule.

  • Morsi gets life sentence in espionage trial

    An Egyptian court has sentenced former president Mohamed Morsi to life in prison in an espionage trial in which six co-defendants were handed death penalties.

    The court, according to ABC News, acquitted Morsi of charges accusing him of supplying Qatar with classified documents, but sentenced him to life in prison for leading an unlawful organisation.

  • Jail break: Egypt’s Morsi sentenced to death

    Jail break: Egypt’s Morsi sentenced to death

    An Egyptian court has sentenced ousted president Mohammed Morsi to death over a mass prison break in 2011, the BBC reports.

    The former leader has already been sentenced to 20 years in jail for ordering the arrest and torture of protesters during his time in power.

    The country’s religious authorities will now have to give their opinion before the sentence can be carried out.

    Morsi was deposed by the military in July 2013 following mass street protests against his rule.

    Since then, the authorities have banned his Muslim Brotherhood movement and arrested thousands of his supporters.

    Morsi was among more than 100 other defendants sentenced to death for their involvement in mass jail breaks during the 2011 uprising against Egypt’s then-president, Hosni Mubarak.

    All death sentences must first be sent to the Grand Mufti, Egypt’s highest religious authority, for his opinion on whether they should stand.

    Convictions are still open to appeal, even if the Grand Mufti gives his approval.

    Morsi’s supporters have said tthe cases against him are politically motivated and attempts to give legal cover to a coup, while Morsi has rejected the authority of the courts.

  • Egypt bans pro-Mursi pressure group

    Egypt bans pro-Mursi pressure group

    Egypt on Thursday banned a pressure group that has pushed for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, who was overthrown by the army last year.

    Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb issued a decree dissolving the National Coalition to Support Legitimacy and Reject the Coup as well as its political arm, the Independence Party, following an earlier court ruling against the organisations.

    The Coalition, which included Brotherhood supporters and other groups, was set up after then-army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi overthrew Mursi in July 2013 following protests against his rule, Reuters reports.

    Egyptian authorities have since cracked down on the Brotherhood, banning Egypt’s oldest Islamist organisation and jailed thousands of its members.

  • Egypt’s electoral body declares Sisi winner of presidential election

    Egypt’s electoral body declares Sisi winner of presidential election

    The former military chief, who won by a huge majority, last July overthrew Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi.

    Sisi won 96.91 of legal votes cast in last week’s election.

    Accepting the result, Sisi urged his countrymen to work to restore stability and achieve “freedom” and “social justice”.

    Turnout was recorded at 47 per cent, lower than Sisi had called for, and despite the voting period being extended from two to three days. Sisi’s only rival in the election, Hamdeen Sabahi, won 3.09% per cent of the vote.

    The results and the swearing in on Sunday, confirm the rise of the retired field marshal who has suppressed Morsi’s supporters.

    He promised to restore stability and the economy after three years of turmoil.

    Sisi has said it would take 25 years to bring about real democracy and has spoken out against too many freedoms that cause turmoil, amid an already shrinking space for political activity.

    He is expected to be sworn in on Sunday before Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court, in front of a large gathering of supporters from across the region.

    Shortly after the announcement of the final results of the election, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia hailed the day as “historic” and called for the supporters to help the country.

    “To the brothers and friends of Egypt… I invite all to a donors conference… to help it overcome its economic crisis,” he said.

    The British foreign secretary, William Hague, congratulated Sisi and said he looked forward to working with the new administration.

    However, he urged Sisi to “open up political space, especially with regard to freedom of expression and association”.

    “We believe the best way for Egyptians to achieve the goals of the 25 January revolution of 2011 is through an inclusive political process in which all groups can participate.”

     

  • Egypt votes amidst tight security

    Egypt votes amidst tight security

    Millions of voters are casting ballots across Egypt to choose a new president, for the second time in two years.

    A huge security operation has been mounted by police and the military, amid fear of attacks by militants seeking to disrupt the polls.

    Former army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, who deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi last year, is standing against left-wing candidate Hamdeen Sabahi. Mr Sisi is forecast to win by a comfortable margin.

    The elections are being held across two days, with unofficial results expected hours after polls close.

    Shortly after polls opened, Mr Sisi cast his vote at a polling station in Heliopolis, Cairo, amid a throng of reporters and spectators.

    “The Egyptians are coming out to write their history and chart their future,” said the 59-year-old, dressed in a dark suit and tie.

    Mr Sisi appeals to Egyptians who crave stability after years of political upheaval and anything else than an easy win for him would be a source of astonishment, says the BBC’s Kevin Connolly in Cairo.

    The scale of turnout will be seen as an indication of the strength of endorsement of the winning candidate.

    In Cairo, voters were queuing to cast their ballots almost an hour before polling stations opened, as military helicopters hovered overhead.

    “We want security first, then everything else will follow,” Manal Mohammed, a voter in the district of Imbabah, told the Associated Press.

    More than 250,000 members of the security forces are on duty at polling stations across the country, according to the interior ministry.

    The tight security drums home a familiar message from the military-backed interim authorities – that the dangers of Islamist militants are ever present, our correspondent says.

    Militants have killed hundreds of security personnel since the army overthrew the president last July following mass opposition protests.

    The militants say they have stepped up attacks in response to the state’s subsequent crackdown on Mr Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, in which more than 1,400 people have been killed and 16,000 detained.

    Mr Morsi is currently standing trial on a raft of charges. He strongly denies any wrongdoing.

    Islamists and some secular activists are boycotting the polls in protest at the clampdown and repression of dissent.

    In his election campaign, Mr Sisi set out plans to develop agriculture, housing, education, impoverished areas and employment.

    He is backed by several big businessmen as well as a broad range of political parties from the Islamist right to the moderate left.

    Hamdeen Sabahi, who came third in presidential elections in 2012, offers an alternative to young voters who favour a civilian candidate over a former military one.

    He promises to combat corruption and incompetence while promoting civil rights.

    Both candidates say they will not re-legalise the Muslim Brotherhood.

     

  • Egypt court acquits 169 Brotherhood supporters

    Egypt court acquits 169 Brotherhood supporters

    An Egyptian court acquitted 169 Muslim Brotherhood supporters charged in connection with unrest that followed the overthrow of President Mohamed Mursi last year, breaking a pattern of mass convictions at trials involving the Islamist opposition.

    The men were charged with “illegal gathering” in relation to violence in Cairo on August 16 last year, two days after the security forces killed hundreds of Mursi supporters while breaking up their protest camps in the capital.

    Of those charged, 117 were still being held. They will now be freed. Others charged in the case had already been released. Further details on the ruling were not immediately available.

    The authorities have jailed thousands of Mursi supporters since the army deposed the Brotherhood politician last July following mass protests against his rule.

    Earlier this year, a judge issued preliminary death sentences against 1,200 Brotherhood supporters and members in two separate cases, triggering heavy condemnation from Western governments and human rights groups. The convicted included the group’s leader, Mohamed Badie.

    Rights groups criticised the trials for deep procedural flaws, and despite the acquittals, other courts are continuing with convictions, Reuters reports.

    A judge in Alexandria on Monday convicted 62 people and sentenced them to jail terms of up to 25 years in relation to political violence last July. The judge also upheld the death penalty against one of those charged in the case.

    This came a day after more than 160 Brotherhood supporters were handed sentences of up to 15 years in prison.

     

  • Egypt military chief Sisi hints at presidential bid

    Egypt military chief Sisi hints at presidential bid

    Egypt’s armed forces chief, Field Marshal Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, has said he cannot ignore calls by the majority for him to run for president.

    He was quoted by the state news agency Mena as revealing that “official procedures” regarding his candidacy were expected in the coming days.

    It is the clearest indication yet that he will stand in the election which is scheduled to take place by mid-April.

    He led the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi in July.

    The field marshal has been widely expected to resign and declare a presidential bid since the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (Scaf) gave its public support at the end of January.

    Correspondents say he would be likely to win, given his popularity and the lack of any serious rivals.

    Field Marshal Sisi commented on his prospective candidacy in a speech at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy in Cairo.

    He said he could “not turn his back on calls by the majority of Egyptians for him to run for president”, Mena reported.

    “Official measures should be taken in the coming days,” he added.

    The field marshal added that Egypt was “going through a critical phase that required unity among the people, army and police”, arguing that “no party alone can help Egypt get up onto its feet in such conditions”.

    Officials close to the field marshal have told AFP news agency he will step down as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and defence minister after a law regulating the presidential election is approved by Interim President Adly Mansour this week or next.

    The 59-year-old former military intelligence chief was appointed to the posts by Mr Morsi in August 2012.

    But after mass protests demanding Mr Morsi’s resignation took place on the first anniversary of his taking office, it was the field marshal who gave the president an ultimatum that he would have to satisfy the public’s demands or see the army step in.