– Ambassadors summoned –
Several countries announced plans to summon Egyptian ambassadors to protest what many called an unjust verdict.
In The Hague, Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said he had summoned Egypt’s ambassador and would raise the matter with his EU colleagues after Dutch journalist Rena Netjes, tried in absentia, “did not get a fair trial”.
London said it was “completely appalled” by the verdict in absentia against the two Britons and was summoning Cairo’s envoy.
Human Rights Watch’s Joe Stork said the verdict showed “how Egypt’s judges have been caught up in the anti-Muslim Brotherhood hysteria fostered by President al-Sisi”. READ: Army boss Sisi sworn in as Egypt president.
On Sunday an Egyptian court confirmed death sentences for more than 180 Islamists including Brotherhood chief Mohamed Badie.
UN rights chief Navi Pillay slammed such mass trials and sentences as “obscene”, and urged Egypt to review its laws.
But Cairo insisted its judiciary “enjoys full independence” and that the convicts in Monday’s case still have the right to appeal.
A presidency official said Sisi “legally can’t (pardon them)… a pardon can be given only after the final court ruling”.
Greste’s parents said they were still considering their legal options and whether to lodge an appeal, which could take months to make its way through the courts.
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