Sen. Patrick Leahy blocks Egyptian military aid over ‘appalling abuse of the justice system’

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters

By Reuters
Tuesday, April 29, 2014 12:26 EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate appropriations subcommittee that oversees foreign aid, said on Tuesday he will not approve sending funds to the Egyptian military, denouncing a “sham trial” in which a court sentenced 683 people to death.

“I’m not prepared to sign off on the delivery of additional aid for the Egyptian military,” the Vermont Democrat said in a speech on the Senate floor, explaining why he would hold up the $650 million.

“I’m not prepared to do that until we see convincing evidence the government is committed to the rule of law,” Leahy said.

The Obama administration said last week it would deliver 10 Apache attack helicopters and $650 million to Egypt’s military, relaxing a partial suspension of aid imposed after Egypt’s military ousted President Mohamed Mursi last year and cracked down violently on protesters.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/04/29/sen-patrick-leahy-blocks-egyptian-military-aid-over-appalling-abuse-of-the-justice-system/

[kelliekat44]

1. Thank you, Mr Reid. nt

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. The administration talks the talk, Leahy walks the walk.

Our foreign aid law requires that we have nothing to do with this coup government. The administration needs to quit equivocating.

[dickthegrouch]

3. And who makes the US follow the rule of law?

4th amendment, anyone?
Bankster fraud, anyone?
Rendition and waterboarding, anyone?

[nyabingi]

4. I'm happy to see there are a few

honorable Democrats who question our support of coups and military juntas. If the death sentences are actually carried out, I'll eagerly await questions and explanations about it at upcoming presidential press conferences.

[Comrade Grumpy]

5. And what did Egypt's "liberals" get in return for their pact with the military against the MB?

http://www.enca.com/africa/egyptian-court-bans-april-6-youth-movement

Egyptian court bans April 6 youth movement

Africa Monday 28 April 2014 - 12:26pm

CAIRO - An Egyptian court has banned the April 6 youth movement that helped engineer the 2011 uprising that led to the ouster of longtime autocratic President Hosni Mubarak.

The ruling is seen by activists as part of a government- orchestrated campaign to stifle opposition and dissent.

The court in Cairo ruled in a suit filed by a lawyer who demanded the banning of the group over allegations it "tarnished the image of the Egyptian state" and conspired against the country's national interests.

Leaders of April 6 - Ahmed Maher and Mohammed Adel - have been jailed for violating a new protest law that requires that any demonstration must have a police permit.

Monday's ruling by the Cairo Court for Urgent Matters can be suspended by a higher tribunal.

[Jefferson23]

6. Thank you good man, Senator Leahy! K&R