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Egypt's leader grants military broad powers to put civilians on trial Egypt's leader grants military broad powers to put civilians on trial
(about 2 hours later)
CAIRO — Egypt’s president expanded the powers of the country’s armed forces on Monday to enable prosecution of civilians in military courts, in a move rights activists fear will intensify an already searing government crackdown on dissent. CAIRO — Egypt’s president expanded the powers of the country’s armed forces on Monday to enable prosecution of civilians in military courts, in a move that rights activists fear will intensify an already searing government crackdown on dissent.
The measures by President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi give the military even broader reach than during the decades under ousted leader Hosni Mubarak, who led relentless pressures against perceived opponents. The measures by President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi give the military even broader reach than it had during the decades under Hosni Mubarak, who applied relentless pressure on perceived opponents until his ouster in early 2011.
The new decree by Sissi allows Egypt’s military to try civilians for a wide range of crimes that include everything from destroying public property to blocking roads. The decree by Sissi allows the military to try civilians for a wide range of crimes, including destroying public property and blocking roads.
The country’s constitution already grants the army the ability to try cases that directly involve a military officer or army installation. But Monday’s edict extends the military’s jurisdiction to cover attacks on “vital” institutions such as power plants, oil fields and bridges. The country’s constitution already grants the army the ability to try cases that directly involve a military officer or an army installation. But Monday’s edict extends the military’s jurisdiction to cover attacks on “vital” institutions such as power plants, oil fields and bridges.
The move by Sissi, a former defense minister who rose to power as a military strongman, follows last week’s devastating attack on an army checkpoint in the Sinai Peninsula, where militant groups have flourished in recent years. The move by Sissi, a former defense minister who rose to power as a military strongman, follows a devastating attack last week on an army checkpoint in the Sinai Peninsula, where militant groups have flourished in recent years.
The explosion from a suicide car bomb killed more than 30 soldiers, making it the deadliest attack on Egyptian army personnel in decades. Government officials said Monday that the law is necessary to ensure the safety of citizens, and that it will remain in force for two years. The suicide car bombing killed more than 30 soldiers, making it the deadliest attack on Egyptian army personnel in decades. Government officials said Monday that the law is necessary to ensure the safety of citizens and that it will remain in force for two years.
Military trials in Egypt are often held in secret, and judges mete out swift verdicts that are immune from appeal.Military trials in Egypt are often held in secret, and judges mete out swift verdicts that are immune from appeal.
“This is just the imposition of authoritarian power through emergency law,” said Egyptian human rights lawyer Amir Salem. “And what it means is that there will be more decrees like this, and probably more crackdowns.” “This is just the imposition of authoritarian power through emergency law,” said Egyptian human rights lawyer Amir Salem. “And what it means is that there will be more decrees like this and probably more crackdowns.”
Egypt’s current government has presided over one of the most repressive periods in the country’s history, after Sissi toppled Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in a military coup in 2013. The current government has presided over one of the most repressive periods in Egypt’s history, after Sissi toppled Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in a military coup in 2013.
Authorities have arrested tens of thousands of people in a bid to cripple the Morsi-led Muslim Brotherhood. The clampdown has also extended to secular activists and students opposed to Sissi’s rule.Authorities have arrested tens of thousands of people in a bid to cripple the Morsi-led Muslim Brotherhood. The clampdown has also extended to secular activists and students opposed to Sissi’s rule.
erin.cunningham@washpost.com
Heba Habib contributed to this report.Heba Habib contributed to this report.