Death sentence against Egypt's Morsi "unacceptable": Norway

Norway on Tuesday denounced as "unacceptable" the death sentence handed down by an Egyptian court against former President Mohammed Morsi and his 106 supporters.

"It is unacceptable that more than 100 people, including former President Morsi, have been condemned to death in a summary trial," Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende was quoted as saying in a statement.

"Norway has made it clear that we oppose the practice of holding mass trials that fail to comply with Egypt's international obligations," Brende said. "I expect all those accused to be given the opportunity of a fair appeal hearing, and the question of guilt to be decided on an individual basis."

Urging the Egyptian authorities to ensure the independence of the courts, Brende said the courts must safeguard "the right of the accused to a fair trial in accordance with international standards."

Morsi was sentenced to death on Saturday last week over charges arising from a mass jailbreak in 2011, along with his Muslim Brotherhood supporters, making him the first Egyptian president to face a death verdict.

Morsi was ousted by the army in July 2013 amid mass protests against his one-year rule. He has since faced a number of charges, including inciting violence, conspiring with foreign powers and killing protesters.

Egyptian authorities declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group in 2014. Endit