Egypt - Foreign minister misquotes Amnesty International
August 07, 2013
Amnesty International absolutely refutes a statement by Nabil Fahmy, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, alleging that the organization has evidence that “heavy weapons” are present inside a sit-in by supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi near Rabaa al-Adawiya Mosque in Cairo.
During an interview on BBC HARDTalk broadcast on Tuesday 6 August 2013, Nabil Fahmy said that Amnesty International had issued a statement saying there were “heavy weapons inside Rabaa”. Amnesty International has not issued such a statement.
Last Friday Amnesty International announced that the organization had gathered evidence indicating that a number of Morsi supporters had tortured individuals from a rival political camp since the outbreak of the political crisis in June. Some of these incidents occurred in areas near where pro-Morsi sit-ins were being held.
At no stage did Amnesty International refer to the use of “heavy weapons” inside the sit-in.
For further information contact John Tackaberry, Media Relations (613)744-7667 #236 jtackaberry@amnesty.ca
Amnesty International 2 August 2013 News Release Egypt: Evidence points to torture carried out by Morsi supporters
