An Egyptian court sentenced ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi to 20 years in prison Tuesday for abuses against protesters but acquitted him of charges carrying a possible death penalty.
Morsi was convicted of ordering the arrest and torture of demonstrators involved in clashes in 2012 when he was president, in a verdict Amnesty International denounced as a "travesty of justice".
The reaction from the United States was more circumspect, with the State Department saying it was concerned by the sentences.
Fourteen others were convicted of the same charges, with the Cairo court jailing most of them for 20 years.
The court acquitted the defendants of inciting murder in connection with the deaths of a journalist and two protesters during the December 5, 2012 clashes outside the presidential palace in Cairo.
Morsi, dressed in a white prison uniform and standing in a soundproof cage, raised his fists when the verdict was announced.
Defence lawyers said they would appeal, while rights groups voiced alarm at the ruling, the first in a series of trials Morsi is facing.
"This verdict shatters any remaining illusion of independence and impartiality in Egypt's criminal justice system," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty's deputy Middle East and North Africa director.
She called for a full retrial or the ex-president's release.
US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Washington would "review the basis" for the court's decision, and that it was "concerned by these sentences."
"All Egyptians are entitled to equal and fair treatment before the law," she added.
Egypt's first freely elected leader, Morsi came to power following the 2011 ouster of longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak in a popular uprising.
But after just a year in power, Morsi was himself toppled by then-army chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi following mass street protests.
Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood has been blacklisted and targeted in a crackdown that has seen hundreds killed and thousands jailed.
Other Brotherhood leaders have been sentenced to death, and Tuesday's decision to acquit Morsi on the incitement to murder charge surprised some.
"We were expecting them to be convicted of murder," said Ramy Ghanem, a lawyer for an anti-Morsi protester wounded in the clashes.
"But the sentences are not bad. We were expecting life in prison, but then 20 years is not very different," he said. A life sentence in Egypt is 25 years.
'Verdict will backfire'
The Muslim Brotherhood condemned Tuesday's verdict.
"The illegitimate powers are trying to impose their tyranny through invalid sentences. This oppression will backfire as the revolution and public anger continue," a statement said.
The Brotherhood had called for pro-Morsi protests Tuesday, but there were no reports of major rallies.
The movement has failed to mobilise supporters for several months following the government crackdown.
Morsi is facing two other trials in which he could face the death penalty, including on a charge of spying for foreign powers.
Verdicts in those cases are due on May 16.
Sisi has vowed to eradicate the Brotherhood, an 85-year-old movement that topped successive polls between Mubarak's fall and Morsi's presidential election victory in May 2012.
The authorities designated it a terrorist group in December 2013, making even verbal expressions of support punishable by stiff jail terms.
The crackdown has sparked a fierce backlash including from jihadist groups, who have claimed a string of deadly attacks on security forces.
Sisi was elected president last May, facing no serious challengers in a country where the military has held the reins of power for decades. His victory dashed the hopes of pro-democracy protesters who ousted Mubarak.
But his regime is popular among many Egyptians tired of political turmoil and seeking stability and economic growth.
Sisi has been accused of repression, and his crackdown has also targeted secular and liberal activists who spearheaded the uprising against Mubarak.
In November, a court dropped murder charges against Mubarak in his own trial over the deaths of hundreds of protesters in 2011.
AFP
Tue Apr 21 2015
![Egypt court jails ousted president Morsi for 20 years Egypt court jails ousted president Morsi for 20 years](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-04/61429607575_295x200.jpg)
Egypt's deposed Islamist president waves from inside the defendants cage during his trial at the police academy in Cairo on January 8, 2015. - AFP Photo
AWANI 7:45 [16/07/2024] - Suspek dibawa ke lokasi | Selamat tinggal rakyat Malaysia | Harimau Malaya hilang taring?
- Polis sahkan suspek bunuh Kartini anggota polis.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
![Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/71683779541_TBNAJIBRAZAK.jpg)
Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum
Berdasarkan sistem e-filing mahkamah, rayuan itu telah ditetapkan untuk pengurusan kes pada 7 Oktober ini.
![E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721128633_MohdHidayatMohdSa.jpg)
E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi
Kerajaan juga harus wujudkan sebuah dasar yang jelas supaya kepentingan e-sukan ini mampu diperkembangkan ke masa hadapan.
![Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721122322_ZulkifliHasan.jpg)
Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism
Kerajaan sentiasa memandang serius terhadap penularan ideologi dan aliran pemikiran yang bercanggah dengan ajaran Islam seperti ideologi liberalism dan pluralism agama.
![Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710754100_MohdNazifuddinNaji.jpg)
Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM
Atlet di bawah projek Road To Gold (RTG) tidak mempunyai pilihan selain memenangi emas yang diidam-idamkan Malaysia pada Sukan Olimpik 2024 di Paris.
![KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/41693913999_RubiahWang.jpg)
KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan
Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Kedah (KEDA) memperuntukkan RM3.37 juta pada tahun ini bagi memastikan keterjaminan makanan negara.
![Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721021538_TBSHAMSUL.jpg)
Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia
Rang Undang-Undang Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia 2024 yang bertujuan menubuhkan MCBA diluluskan persidangan Dewan Rakyat, hari ini.
![PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024 PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710922383_MasErmieyatiSamsud.jpg)
PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024
Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) akan memulakan prosiding bagi empat isu yang dibangkitkan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara (LKAN) Siri 2/2024.
AWANI Ringkas: Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini | Skandal LCS
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Chong Zhemin, tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
![Ebit Liew masuk Gaza hari ini, serah dua treler ubat dan keperluan asas kepada rakyat Palestin Ebit Liew masuk Gaza hari ini, serah dua treler ubat dan keperluan asas kepada rakyat Palestin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/51622273288_EbitLewBantuanP.jpg)
Ebit Liew masuk Gaza hari ini, serah dua treler ubat dan keperluan asas kepada rakyat Palestin
Ebit Lew mengakui air matanya tidak dapat dibendung lagi usia mengaminkan doa sejurus bantuan disampaikan.
![Konflik di Gaza: Angka korban rakyat Palestin meningkat kepada 30 Konflik di Gaza: Angka korban rakyat Palestin meningkat kepada 30](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/41620780006_Streaksoflight.jpg)
Konflik di Gaza: Angka korban rakyat Palestin meningkat kepada 30
Serangan udara oleh Israel berterusan manakala Hamas membalas dengan menembak roket ke Tel Aviv.
![Bandar hilang berusia 3,000 tahun ditemui di Mesir Bandar hilang berusia 3,000 tahun ditemui di Mesir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-04/41618099949_PasuAntik.jpg)
Bandar hilang berusia 3,000 tahun ditemui di Mesir
Kawasan yang ditemui menerusi satu misi arkeologi itu lengkap dengan tinggalan struktur rumah yang diperbuat daripada tanah liat, serta artifak-artifak bersejarah dan alatan dari zaman firaun.
![Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-07/41594735361_BTP.jpg)
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita dalam negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini, Ahad, 2 Ogos 2020.
![COVID-19: Rayuan kecualikan caj kuarantin pelajar Malaysia dari Yaman - YPC COVID-19: Rayuan kecualikan caj kuarantin pelajar Malaysia dari Yaman - YPC](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-07/81594036054_syedalialhabshee.jpg)
COVID-19: Rayuan kecualikan caj kuarantin pelajar Malaysia dari Yaman - YPC
Muhyiddin dirayu agar segera campur tangan mengatasi masalah caj kuarantin yang difahamkan dikenakan sebanyak RM1,890 ke atas pelajar Malaysia yang baru pulang dari Yaman pada pagi Ahad.
![131 rakyat Malaysia terkandas di Yaman tiba di tanah air - Wisma Putra 131 rakyat Malaysia terkandas di Yaman tiba di tanah air - Wisma Putra](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-02/41582209757_KamarudinJaffar.jpg)
131 rakyat Malaysia terkandas di Yaman tiba di tanah air - Wisma Putra
Kumpulan pertama rakyat Malaysia seramai 131 orang yang dilaporkan terkandas di Yaman sejak Mac lepas susulan pandemik COVID-19, selamat tiba di KLIA pada pagi Ahad.
![Pelakon 'Twilight' meninggal dunia Pelakon 'Twilight' meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-05/81589848345_GregTyreeBoycewas.jpg)
Pelakon 'Twilight' meninggal dunia
Mendiang Boyce dijumpai bersama mayat teman wanitanya Natalie Adepoju, 27, di Las Vegas, Nevada.
![Sampai berdarah hidung mahu jumpa Mo Salah Sampai berdarah hidung mahu jumpa Mo Salah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-08/81565497195_MohamedSalah.jpg)
Sampai berdarah hidung mahu jumpa Mo Salah
Dalam kekecohan itu, dia terlanggar tiang lampu lalu rebah terbaring dalam keadaan tidak sedar.
![Laungan 'Laillahaillallah, As-Syahid Habibullah' iringi jenazah Dr Fadi Laungan 'Laillahaillallah, As-Syahid Habibullah' iringi jenazah Dr Fadi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-04/61524637983_MajlisPengkebumianDr.jpg)
Laungan 'Laillahaillallah, As-Syahid Habibullah' iringi jenazah Dr Fadi
Laungan -Laillahaillallah, as-Syahid Habibullah- berkumandang di Surau Medan Idaman, Setapak, tatkala jenazah Imam Dr Fadi Al-Batsh dibawa masuk ke perkarangan surau itu.
![Lebih 1,000 lagi pelajar dibawa pulang sebelum Jumaat Lebih 1,000 lagi pelajar dibawa pulang sebelum Jumaat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-08/61377245108_295x200.jpg)
Lebih 1,000 lagi pelajar dibawa pulang sebelum Jumaat
Seramai 1,328 pelajar selamat dihantar pulang menerusi Ops Piramid 2 setakat hari ini.