Egypt slams EU, UK for condemning ruling on activists

0
160
Egyptian protesters shout slogans against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the government during a demonstration protesting the government's decision to transfer two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, in front of the Press Syndicate in Cairo, Egypt, April 15, 2016. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

CAIRO: Egypt has blasted the EU and Britain for criticising a recent court decision to freeze the assets of three rights activists, accusing them of double standards and telling them to mind their own business.

An Egyptian court on Wednesday ruled to freeze the assets of three rights activists, the latest chapter in a widening crackdown against civil society groups. The freezing and those of five other rights campaigners in September is part of a wider case against at least 12 rights groups that dates back to 2011.

Britain and the EU said they were concerned by the verdict, and that it “continues a worrying trend.”

An Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement on Saturday says the comments by the EU and Britain amounted to “flagrant” interference in the country’s domestic affairs.