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Turkish president condemns Egypt over Morsi death sentence

Xinhua, May 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Turkish President Recep Erdogan on Saturday condemned Egypt for sentencing its ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi to death, accusing the West of "turning a blind eye" to this.

"Egypt is returning to ancient Egypt," Erdogan said in Istanbul, adding that "the West, unfortunately, is still turning a blind eye to (Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah) Sisi's coup."

"The West does not display a stance against Sisi, the coupmaker," he said, noting that "while they (the West) abolished the death penalty in their own countries, they just look on as spectators at this execution in Egypt."

Earlier in the day, an Egyptian court sentenced Morsi to death over 2011 jailbreak charges, accusing him of escaping prison with the assistance of domestic and foreign militants during the Jan. 25 uprising that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

The relations between Turkey and Egypt have been strained since Morsi was ousted by the army in July 2013 after mass protests against his one-year rule.

Ankara condemned Egypt's excessive use of force against supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, the power base of Morsi and a political organization with close ties to Erdogan's Justice and Development Party, whereas Egypt condemned the Turkish government for interfering in its domestic affairs. Endit