Turkish Deputy PM, former president Gül criticize Egypt death sentence
by Daily Sabah
ISTANBULMay 17, 2015 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by Daily Sabah
May 17, 2015 12:00 am
Prominent political figures from all spheres in Turkey have condemned the death sentence sought by an Egyptian court for Muhammad Morsi, the first democratically elected president of Egypt and members of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Former President Abdullah Gül criticized the ruling on his Twitter account through messages written in three different languages. "This unacceptable and dangerous process has to be stopped immediately as there is still time. I utter my feelings as a true friend of Egypt." Gül said, and added that the death sentences will "darken the future of our brother country, Egypt."
Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş has criticized the ruling and said that the mindset which is in favor of death sentences target people's right for democratic elections. Kurtulmuş noted that Muhammad Morsi was the first democratically elected president in Egypt, and his deposal by the military directly targeted the will of the Egyptian people, stripping them of their right to freely choose their leader.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has also criticized the death sentence and said such political executions have never benefited the society.
"The death sentence in Egypt will not benefit the people, state officials nor the history or the future of the country" said Kılıçdaroğlu, who added that such rulings result in permanent problems and regret.
Morsi and his co-defendants including Muslim Brotherhood supreme leader Mohammed Badie, and other top officials of the movement insist the charges against them are politically motivated.
The Egyptian military overthrew Muhammad Morsi in July 2013 after just one year in office, following protests.
Since his removal, Egyptian authorities have launched a relentless crackdown on dissent that has largely targeted Morsi's supporters, leaving hundreds dead and thousands behind bars.
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