ANKARA
European Union Parliament and member states have denounced a mass death penalty in Egypt, criticizing lack of fair trial and calling for a review.
An Egypt court handed down death sentences for 683 people on Monday, following a previous ruling by the same court for 528 people in March. The court on Monday also upheld the first sentence for 37 people and changed it to life imprisonment for 491.
European Parliament President Martin Schulz said Monday capital punishment was "never acceptable" for Europeans.
"I think that this is not a constructive contribution to bring peace to country,” he said. “There should be a fair trial for the accused.”
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a written statement Monday that the death sentences was a "mockery against the rule of law," calling for the ruling to be overturned.
German MEP Alexander Lambsdorff said: "I believe that this is a shame case with a shame verdict."
French Foreign Ministry issue a statement Monday saying it was extremely concerned over the ruling. British Foreign Office quoted Foreign Secretary William Hague as saying the verdicts "damage the reputation of Egypt’s judicial system, and are likely to undermine international confidence about progress towards reform and democratisation in Egypt."
"The United Kingdom government urges the Egyptian authorities to review these sentences and to ensure that human and legal rights are fully upheld in this case, and in the country as a whole," Hague added.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Ban-ki moon said the verdict would impact stability in Egypt.
"Verdicts that clearly appear not to meet basic fair trial standards, particularly those which impose the death penalty, are likely to undermine prospects for long-term stability," said Ban.
Egypt's court has referred the 683 defendants to Egypt's Grand Mufti, the country's top religious official, before the verdict is ratified.
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