New Egypt law could free imprisoned Al Jazeera journalist
- 10 years ago
On the streets of Egypt, news is buzzing over a new presidential decree.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's decree allows him to repatriate foreign prisoners.
Some see it as a move that could free Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste.
Greste, an Australian citizen, was sentenced in June along with Canadian-Egyptian national Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed.
They were accused of spreading lies of the Muslim Brotherhood, which the army banned in 2013.
Legal experts are divided. Law professor Nour Farhat disagrees with the decree.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PROFESSOR OF LAW, NOUR FARHAT SAYING:
"The law issued by Sisi yesterday is unconstitutional because according the 2014 constitution, the president can only pardon defendants who have received their final criminal sentences. But this new decree includes defendants who are still facing trial along with those who have received final premature sentences."
But constitutional law expert Hafez Abu
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's decree allows him to repatriate foreign prisoners.
Some see it as a move that could free Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste.
Greste, an Australian citizen, was sentenced in June along with Canadian-Egyptian national Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed.
They were accused of spreading lies of the Muslim Brotherhood, which the army banned in 2013.
Legal experts are divided. Law professor Nour Farhat disagrees with the decree.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PROFESSOR OF LAW, NOUR FARHAT SAYING:
"The law issued by Sisi yesterday is unconstitutional because according the 2014 constitution, the president can only pardon defendants who have received their final criminal sentences. But this new decree includes defendants who are still facing trial along with those who have received final premature sentences."
But constitutional law expert Hafez Abu