An association of Muslim scholars led by influential Qatar-based cleric Youssef al-Qaradawi has condemned death sentences passed by an Egyptian court against 683 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood as an act of revenge against political opponents.

The 70-year-old leader of the Brotherhood, Mohamed Badie, and 682 supporters were sentenced to death on Monday, intensifying a crackdown that could trigger protests ahead of this month’s presidential election.

“These sentences, taken in the shadow of the coup authority currently in charge of Egypt, are not based on any impartial investigation or a stable political environment, (something) that denies them any credibility and assert that they amount to (acts of) revenge against the opposition,” the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) said in a statement on Qaradawi’s website.

The United States, United Nations and European Union have all expressed alarm at the sentences.   »»» Reuters

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