Egypt slams German government for statements on upcoming trial session as ‘unjustifiable’ interference

CAIRO – 18 December 2021: The Egyptian Foreign Ministry voiced rejection of recent remarks by the German government regarding an upcoming trial of a number of defendants before the Egyptian judiciary.

The German government’s statements on upcoming trial in Egypt “included unacceptable, and flagrant and unjustifiable interference in the Egyptian domestic affairs,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Foreign Ministry censured the German government for “demanding respect for the law, while calling at the same time for interference and influencing the verdicts of the Egyptian judiciary, which is known for its independence and impartiality,” saying this represents double standards.

“The German government should tackle its internal challenges instead imposing its guardianship on others,” the ministry said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its complete rejection of interference in the internal affairs, and the necessity of respecting the rule of law and the constitution of the Egyptian state.

It added that assuming a specific outcome is totally rejected for its impact on the judiciary and justice, the principles of the rule of law, and the separation of powers.

The German foreign ministry earlier called in a tweet for the release of activists Mohamed Oxygen, Alaa Abdel Fattah, and Mohamed El-Baqer as they should receive a ruling decision later this month.

The German statement, however, hailed Egypt’s steps to enhance human rights, including through launching the country’s first national strategy for human rights last September.

“We will follow its implementation with great interest,” the statement read.