Morsi’s justice minister to be released in Egypt

CAIRO

The Egyptian judiciary decided Sunday to release the former justice minister who served in the Mohammed Morsi government.

Prosecutors ruled former Justice Minister Ahmed Suleiman would be released on probation, his son Mohammed, told Anadolu Agency.

He said that the his father was held in Tora Prison in southern Cairo and would be transferred to his house where he would serve a 15-day home arrest sentence before prosecutors would reconsider his status.

Suleiman was arrested in December 2018 when the State Security Court (SSC) accused him of being a member of an illegal organization, engaging in activities threatening national security and contacting anti-state elements.

Suleiman was appointed justice minister in May 2013 and was forced to resign following a coup July 3, 2013, that ousted Morsi, the first democratically elected president of Egypt. Morsi died in June.

Suleiman is known as a statesman who is critical of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas