The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE) has issued a statement condemning the death sentences received by a group of Muslim Brotherhood leaders in Egypt, including the Brotherhood Supreme Guide Dr. Mohamed Badie. According to the FIOE statement:
April 13, 2015 Brussels The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe (FIOE) demands the revocation of the appalling death sentences in Egypt
The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe found profoundly abhorrent the confirmation, on Saturday, 11 April, by an Egyptian judicial body, of death sentences passed on prominent Egyptian public figures, media personnel, and civil society activists. Indeed, among those sentenced to death is the Supreme-Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, Dr Mohammed Badie.
The Federation sternly condemns these appalling sentences, and denounces the flagrant irregularities that marred trial proceedings, as documented by independent human rights bodies.
The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe notes with growing alarm the wave of death sentences issued en masse by Egyptian judicial bodies against hundreds of dissidents, among them eminent Egyptian statesmen, who had filled important positions in the Egyptian Presidency, Parliament, party political scene, and civil society during the democratic period (2011-2013), in addition to wholesale harsh sentencing, such as life imprisonment, in court cases that have been widely criticised for lack of integrity.
It is impossible to remain silent over these grave violations that thoroughly abuse the notion of justice, violate the right to life, and reserve severe punishment for dissenting political or civil rights positions.
The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe demands an immediate revocation of these sentences, and proper application of justice. The Federation also invites states and bodies, in Europe and internationally, as well as relevant civil society bodies, to act urgently to halt these serious abuses that cannot be tolerated in a civilised world.
The GMBDW reported last week on both the sentencing of the Brotherhood leaders and the declaration of a state of emergency by the Brotherhood in Egypt as a result of those sentences.
The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE) claims to be an independent organization representing the interests of Muslims in Europe. In reality, the FIOE is an umbrella group that comprises the Global Muslim Brotherhood in Europe. Strong links connect FIOE’s leadership central institutions and member organizations to the Brotherhood, as well as to Saudi Arabia. Funding for the FIOE is derived largely from Gulf sources, including the ruling Maktoum family of Dubai. The FIOE has strong ties to Hamas and Hamas fund-raising organizations, and some FIOE member organizations show evidence of links with Al-Qaida. The FIOE has a headquarters office in Brussels and has had some success in positioning itself as a “dialog partner” for the EU and other important institutions. Ayman Aly, the FIOE Secretary-General, is a senior member of the Guidance Bureau of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood as well as a former adviser to the deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. In February 2014, French Muslim Brotherhood figure Abdallah Benmansour was elected as the new FIOE president.