There are some “hanging issues” related to some verdicts, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi standing by her side. In a joint press conference, aired live on Egyptian state television, Merkel said she and Sisi discussed human rights and how “Egypt is trying to protect them”. Sisi said “we also love freedom and democracy in Egypt” but cited “very difficult” circumstances Egypt is facing. There are shortcomings, no doubt, he admitted. Sisi said he and Merkel discussed recent death sentences, adding “we respect the Egyptian judiciary … and cannot comment on it”. On May 17, former Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi and more than 100 others were referred to the Grand Mufti, a step that is taken in Egypt’s court system ahead of issuing a death sentence. A final court decision is expected on June 16. The Egyptian president said there are a number of points that need to be clarified. He said the referral to the mufti is only advisory and “has no relation whatsoever to the death sentence.” He added that the majority of the death sentences are issued in absentia, which means…
