Washington: The White House branded Egypt's sentencing of former president Mohamed Morsi as politically motivated Tuesday, in a sharp rebuke of its uneasy military ally.
"We are deeply troubled by the politically motivated sentences that have been handed down against former president Morsi and several others by an Egyptian court today," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
A court earlier upheld the death penalty for Morsi's role in the 2011 uprising against the military-backed government and sentenced him to life in prison on spying charges.
Current President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi - formerly the army chief - ousted the Muslim Brotherhood's Morsi in July 2013 after mass protests calling for an end to his divisive one-year rule.
Washington has since lifted a ban on arms shipments to Egypt, but has been critical of mass trials and the prosecution of Morsi and his allies.
"The United States has repeatedly raised concerns about the detention and sentencing of a variety of political figures in Egypt" said Earnest.
"We are concerned that proceedings have been conducted in a way that is not only contrary to universal values but also damaging to stability that all Egyptians deserve."
"We are deeply troubled by the politically motivated sentences that have been handed down against former president Morsi and several others by an Egyptian court today," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
A court earlier upheld the death penalty for Morsi's role in the 2011 uprising against the military-backed government and sentenced him to life in prison on spying charges.
Washington has since lifted a ban on arms shipments to Egypt, but has been critical of mass trials and the prosecution of Morsi and his allies.
Advertisement
"We are concerned that proceedings have been conducted in a way that is not only contrary to universal values but also damaging to stability that all Egyptians deserve."
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
US Judge Says "Monopolist" Google Can't Avoid App Store Reforms Amid War, US Approves $20 Billion Arms Package For Israel US Student Gets 21 Months In Prison For Threatening Jewish Classmates Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing "Pivotal Moment": Key Doctor Body Resumes Strike 2 Days After Calling It Off Leaders React To NDTV Story Which Led To Probe Into Man's Dissappreance "Education No More Affordable:" Bengaluru Man Reacts To Rs 3.7 Lakh LKG Fee Woman Shares Series Of Harassment Incidents On Delhi-NCR Streets Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.