Nov. 25
EGYPT:
Egyptian court gives death penalty to 7 for killing Christians
A court in Egypt today gave the death penalty to 7 people and sent 10 more to
life in prison for beheading 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya and for joining a
terrorist organisation affiliated to the Islamic State.
The Cairo Criminal Court also sent 3 others to 15 years in prison in the same
case.
The court found that the convicts had joined the "Marsa Matrouh cell", which is
affiliated to IS in Libya.
They were also found guilty of joining training camps in Libya and Syria,
planning terrorist attacks in Egypt, possessing weapons, inciting violence and
participating in killing of 21 Christians in Libya in 2015.
The court ordered that all convicts, except those sentenced to death, remain
under police surveillance for 5 years after serving their sentences, local
media reports said.
The sentencing came a day after the deadliest terrorist attack on worshippers
at a mosque in Egypts restive North Sinai region. The death toll in the attack
today rose to 305.
The Egyptian security forces, meanwhile, have continued their air strikes
against terrorists involved in the attack.
Army spokesperson Tamer el-Refai said in a statement that the Air Force
destroyed a number of terrorists hideouts and the Army was conducting raids to
eliminate terrorists.
(source: intoday.in)
BELARUS:
Belarus president refuses to overrule nation's decision on capital punishment
People voted in the death penalty referendum, and I have no right to overrule
this decision, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said while talking to the
media, BelTA has learned.
The head of state noted that Europeans often ask the Belarusian authorities to
suspend, prohibit the death penalty. "I can not overrule the decision taken by
the people," Alexander Lukashenko underlined.
"Should we want to do so, then we must hold a referendum," the president said.
"If we take this issue to a referendum, I don't need to tell you what the
result will be. You know it yourselves," the Belarusian leader said. When
meeting with the German foreign minister I said to him that if Germany takes
this issue to a referendum at a time when Europe and many countries are exposed
to terrorist attacks you know, what the outcome will be. People see that death
penalty may be a strong disincentive for some 'hot heads'. So I tell him that
maybe Europeans will soon turn to our experience," he said.
"With regard to death penalty, I asked him a question: you are big friends with
some countries in the Middle East and other regions, the United States. Why do
not you ask them the things that you want from Belarus? He would not answer.
Therefore, I think we will come to an agreement in this regard," the president
said.
The head of state also noted that there are a lot of issues related to security
in the world and in the region. Belarus is playing a big role and can play an
even bigger one. "Today Belarus is a quiet, orderly, dignified country, a kind
of donor of security on the European continent and its status is raising in
Europe," the head of state believes. "We see, we hear, we appreciate it and we
will always go halfway to accommodate the interests of the European states if
we are not made to choose (as it was before, not anymore) between Russia or
Europe," he said.
The president said that "Russians are our brothers". "Are they good or bad? You
do not choose brothers. They may not like us in some things either. But we are
kindred people. Therefore, there is no asking us the question who you are with.
We will be friends with Europe, we will be working with Europe, but Russia is
dear and very important to us," the head of state noted.
(source: belta.by)
******************
PACE discusses abolition of the death penalty in Belarus
Andrea Rigoni, a special rapporteur on Belarus of the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe, is on an official visit to Minsk to discuss the
perspective regarding abolition of the death penalty. Negotiations with the
Belarusian MPs are taking place against the backdrop of the Eastern Partnership
Summit, which kicked off Friday in Brussels, and where Belarus is represented
by its Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei.
Rigoni, who was invited to the capital of Belarus by the government, is
expected to participate in parliamentary discussions on the problems of
applying capital punishment in the national legislation. Yesterday, after the
meeting with the Vice-President of the Belarusian National Council
(Parliament), the rapporteur said that the PACE "wants not only a closer
approach from Belarus towards the values of the Council of Europe but also
wants the republic to join the organisation".
"Currently relations between Belarus and the Council of Europe are very
positive. This is also confirmed by the fact that we are presently organising
joint events. Belarus is present in the Council of Europe and our
representatives come to your country, too," Rigoni said. He also stressed that
the Council of Europe is not concerned with the economic issues, but is
interested in promotion of democracy and human rights.
In 1993, Belarus was given special guest status and applied for membership of
the Council of Europe. Though, after the referendum in 1997, which lifted the
moratorium on the death penalty, that status was revoked. At present, Belarus
remains the only country in greater Europe that is not a member of the
organisation.
(source: neweurope.eu)
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