The Herald-News Egypt's mass trials place state security 1st If you're branded an enemy of the state in Egypt, you may never get to defend yourself in a justice system racking up convictions in lop-sided mass trials. That's the united view of legal observers and human rights groups, who look with dismay on the growing use of mass sentencing of opponents of the military-backed government of President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The former army chief is unrepentant, arguing that human rights sometimes must come second to economic and security needs in a country where many thousands face prosecution after years of unrest. Two mass convictions in the past week – of 183 suspected Muslim radicals sentenced to death and 230 secular anti-government activists sentenced to life in prison – featured an openly pro-government judge defending his blanket approach to convictions, and defense lawyers complaining that individual clients never received a fair hearing. Critics of the crisis-driven measures accuse the government of undermining faith in the rule of law and radicalizing its citizens against the state, exactly the fate el-Sissi is striving to avoid. Read more: http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/02/09/blind-justice-egypts-mass-trials-place-state-security-1st/alaog8i/ Haaretz ISIS threat brings Jordan and Egypt closer to Israel The two countries that share peacetime borders with Israel, Jordan and Egypt, are dealing with a historic challenge presented by Islamic State, also known as ISIS, and its local extensions. The two countries, which over the past year have strengthened their ties with Israel in light of regional instability, could rely even more on the strategic support their neighbor gives them. Only occasionally is information released by foreign media. Thus, according to a report on CNN last week, Israel sent drones to the Jordanian border with Syria to assist Amman in collecting intelligence with the goal of stopping possible attacks by ISIS from the northern border. The conflict between Jordan and ISIS worsened following publication last week of a video showing ISIS members immolating the Jordan pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh, which actually was carried out more than a month ago. A wave of demands for revenge swept over Jordan following the gruesome murder of the captured pilot. The Jordanian air force has already conducted dozens of sorties against ISIS targets in Syria. In Sinai, the Egyptian army has undertaken a major operation against the extremist group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, following the murder of 32 Egyptians, most of them members of the security forces, in a series of coordinated attacks by the group in the northern Sinai Peninsula on January 29. The organization announced it was moving its support from Al Qaida to ISIS in November. Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.641497 BBC Egypt suspends football league after Cairo stadium deaths The Egyptian authorities have suspended football league matches indefinitely after clashes at a stadium in Cairo left at least 22 people dead. People were crushed after police fired tear gas at supporters of Zamalek who were trying to force their way in for a match against city rivals ENPPI. The fans blamed the authorities for opening only a single gate. An arrest warrant has been issued for the leaders of the Zamalek supporters group, the White Knights. Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31252429 The Star Egypt blocks Mohamed Fahmy's road to Canada One week ago Mohamed Fahmy was preparing for his rapid deportation to Canada, after the release of his Australian Al Jazeera colleague, Greste, from an Egyptian jail. On Sunday, the Canadian's hopes were crushed by an announcement from court officials that instead of deportation, he would face a retrial on Thursday, along with fellow Al Jazeera journalist Baher Mohamed. Read more: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/02/09/egypt-blocks-mohamed-fahmys-road-to-canada.html
