Marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadhan on July 20, Egypt’s newly elected President Mohamed Morsi on July 19 issued a pardon of 572 civilians sentenced in military tribunals, tackling a major demand of pro-democracy activists. But the pardon only affects a fraction of the thousands of civilians who have been tried and sentenced by military tribunals since a council of generals took over following Hosni Mubarak’s ouster in February 2011. Activists say over 11,000 were tried in military tribunals. A spokesman for a committee investigating the issue said more than 2,100 remain in prisons.
Egypt Prez Pardons 572 Civilians
Marking the beginning of the holy month of Ramadhan on July 20, Egypt’s newly elected President Mohamed Morsi on July 19 issued a pardon of 572 civilians sentenced in military tribunals, tackling a major demand of pro-democracy activists.
