This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21953418
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Egypt court overturns Morsi sacking of top prosecutor | |
(35 minutes later) | |
An Egypt appeal court has ordered the reinstatement of the country's top prosecutor, sacked by President Mohammed Morsi in November. | An Egypt appeal court has ordered the reinstatement of the country's top prosecutor, sacked by President Mohammed Morsi in November. |
The court also cancelled Mr Morsi's decision to appoint a new prosecutor general, Talat Ibrahim. | The court also cancelled Mr Morsi's decision to appoint a new prosecutor general, Talat Ibrahim. |
Mr Morsi's removal of Abdel Maguid Mahmoud angered senior judges, who saw it as an attack on their authority. | Mr Morsi's removal of Abdel Maguid Mahmoud angered senior judges, who saw it as an attack on their authority. |
The sacking was one of his first moves after issuing a decree granting himself sweeping new powers. | The sacking was one of his first moves after issuing a decree granting himself sweeping new powers. |
The decree took away judicial powers to reverse decisions made by the president. But Mr Morsi eventually retracted it after a rising tide of protest. | The decree took away judicial powers to reverse decisions made by the president. But Mr Morsi eventually retracted it after a rising tide of protest. |
However, he kept in place his new appointment as prosecutor general. | However, he kept in place his new appointment as prosecutor general. |
Judicial battle | |
The incumbent prosecutor, Mr Mahmoud, had been appointed by ousted former President Hosni Mubarak. | The incumbent prosecutor, Mr Mahmoud, had been appointed by ousted former President Hosni Mubarak. |
In December, amid outrage over his appointment, Mr Ibrahim made, and then retracted, an offer to resign. | In December, amid outrage over his appointment, Mr Ibrahim made, and then retracted, an offer to resign. |
Unless the appeal court verdict itself is overturned, Mr Ibrahim will be compelled to resign and Mr Mahmoud will be returned to his post. | |
A senior official in the office of the Attorney General told BBC Arabic the government would appeal to Egypt's highest court, the Court of Cassation, before the matter was settled. | |
Mr Morsi has faced a range of problems since he took office in June 2012 after the country's first post-Mubarak presidential election. | Mr Morsi has faced a range of problems since he took office in June 2012 after the country's first post-Mubarak presidential election. |
As well as a simmering feud with the judiciary, pro-reform protests in Cairo have continued, with deaths during anti-Morsi protests to mark two years since the fall of Mubarak. | As well as a simmering feud with the judiciary, pro-reform protests in Cairo have continued, with deaths during anti-Morsi protests to mark two years since the fall of Mubarak. |
The president has also been accused of failing to hold officials accountable for alleged crimes carried out during the Mubarak years. | The president has also been accused of failing to hold officials accountable for alleged crimes carried out during the Mubarak years. |
There was a wave of violence in January 2013 following the imposition of death sentences on 21 people over football violence. | There was a wave of violence in January 2013 following the imposition of death sentences on 21 people over football violence. |
Political progress has been slow in Egypt, with parliamentary elections scheduled for this spring now postponed with no new date set. | Political progress has been slow in Egypt, with parliamentary elections scheduled for this spring now postponed with no new date set. |
According to a report by Egypt's official news agency, Mena, Mr Morsi - currently in Qatar for a meeting of the Arab League - now estimates the polls will be held as late as October. | According to a report by Egypt's official news agency, Mena, Mr Morsi - currently in Qatar for a meeting of the Arab League - now estimates the polls will be held as late as October. |