July 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The European Union has applauded this Thursday the pardons granted by the president of Egypt, Aldefatá al Sisi, to the researcher in favor of Human Rights Patrick Zaki and the lawyer Mohamed el Baqer.
The EU foreign spokesman, Peter Stano, has indicated in a statement that both the community bloc and its member states have been “closely involved in both cases since they were arrested” on Egyptian territory.
Thus, he has pointed out that his pardon is, therefore, “a positive step forward for relations between the EU and Egypt”. “We will continue working to promote good governance and Human Rights, also through bilateral cooperation,” she stressed.
Hours earlier, Al Sisi issued pardons to Zaki, sentenced to three years in prison for spreading false news about the country’s internal conditions, and to Al Baqe, accused of joining a terrorist group and spreading false information.
The Presidential Pardons Committee has explained that these measures have been produced in response to requests made by the Board of National Dialogue and other political forces, which consider that this decision “reaffirms the enthusiasm of the president to provide a positive atmosphere for the success of the dialogue national”.
Likewise, the country’s National Human Rights Council (CNDH) has indicated that these new pardons are “a confirmation of the determination of the political leadership to advance in the field of Human Rights.”
