Right activist Dalia Zakhary described the rule as retribution, noting that according to Egyptian law the death penalty is implemented in only three cases including espionage, premeditated murder and rape.
“The death penalty is specifically not left to the discretion or temperament of the judge,” she told MCN. “Unfortunately what occurred was that the judge felt this was an insult against Islam and so he issued his ruling
Zakhary continued, “They placed the cases regarding the anti-Islam film in front of the same judge, so he would rule on them all at once.” She noted that the case against Abu Islam (who desecrated and burnt the Bible) has yet to be decided, though these should be treated equally.”
She expressed her astonishment over the ruling against American Pastor Terry Jones, as the Egyptian court does not have the jurisdiction to prosecute him.
She added that American law does not recognize the crime of religious defamation, neither therefore is there a punishment.
“It is known in Egypt that religious defamation cases are not always subject to the rule of law, as the sensitivity of such cases could lead to tension in the street,” rights activists Mustafa Sha’t said to MCN. He noted that failure to issue an “appropriate” punishment might lead to violent measures by certain groups.
Regarding to lack of action on Abu Islam’s case, Sha’t said that he has never heard, during his time working in human rights, of a sheikh or Muslim preacher being condemned for insulting Christianity.
He also highlighted the possible relationship between Abu Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood, noting an obvious double standard.
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