Egypt: Court sentences 75 people to death over 2013 protests

Event

On Saturday, July 28, an Egyptian court referred 75 people to Grand Mufti Shawki Allam for whom death sentences have been recommended and who were convicted of offenses related to a 2013 sit-in protest at Rabaa Al-Adawiya square following the ouster of then-President Mohamed Morsi. The decision is part of a larger trial of over 700 accused of illegal protest and murder in the same deadly protest, in which dozens of security forces personnel and hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood supporters were killed. Associated demonstrations are possible in Egypt in the near-term.

Context

Egyptian authorities have cracked down on political dissent - accusing such individuals of terrorism or sedition - since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi assumed power in 2014.

Egypt remains under a state of emergency, originally declared following Islamic State (IS) attacks on churches in Alexandria and Tanta that killed some 50 people on Palm Sunday in April 2017.

Advice

Individuals in Egypt are advised to avoid discussing contentious political topics in public or on the Internet and social media (particularly related to the military and police) and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

In general, due to the prevailing threat of terrorism, individuals throughout Egypt should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly vulnerable to an attack (e.g. public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). Some governments advise their nationals against all travel to the Sinai Peninsula due to the persistent terrorist threat.