GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer "strongly condemns the Egyptian court decision to sentence over 500 supporters of former President Mohammed Morsi to death".

She said: "Since President Morsi was ousted from office by the military, there have been harsh crackdowns on his supporters. This sentencing reflects an arbitrary legal system where defendants are not even given an opportunity to present their case. This is a blatant breach of human rights.

"We will be calling on EU Foreign Affairs Chief Catherine Ashton to put diplomatic pressure on Egypt to drop these unfair sentences."

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
European United Left / Nordic Green Left
European Parliamentary Group

www.guengl.eu