Egypt's foreign ministry rejects foreign comments on court ruling

The Foreign Ministry on Sunday expressed absolute rejection of statements by foreign bodies commenting on the court ruling in the Marriott Cell case.

In a strong-worded statement released on Sunday, the Foreign Ministry said such comments are an unacceptable interference in the Egyptian judiciary and a deliberate mixing between freedoms stipulated and protected by the Egyptian constitution and flagrant legal violations documented in the case.

The constant attempts to imply that court rulings target freedom of the press are groundless, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said, referring to thousands of Egyptian and non-Egyptian journalists working in Egypt freely and no accusations were leveled against them.

The Marriott Cell defendants have committed specific and documented legal violations on which the court ruling was based, he said.

Egypt is a great nation and its people are well aware of all their rights and duties, he said, stressing that those who adopt such campaigns actually have a lot that needs criticism.

The defendants in the case are accused of "broadcasting false news" and "aiding a terrorist organization", among other charges.

The majority of defendants were arrested from two rented suites at the Marriott Hotel in Zamalek.

Source: MENA