Press Release
Once Again Harsh Verdicts for Intimidation and Terrorization
(Translated)

It is not surprising that the Seventh Bureau of Al-Minya's Criminal Court issued on Saturday, 26/04/2014 CE, harsh verdicts on fourteen Ikhwanis (Muslim Brotherhood members) that exceeded 700 years of imprisonment; especially that the tribunal was headed by Judge Saeed Yusef, who previously issued the referral to the Grand Mufti the papers of 529 defendants in the case of riots that took place in Minya's Matay police station, following the resolution of Raba'a and An-Nahdha protests. While in contrast, he issued on September 16th, 2013, a verdict acquitted all the accused in the killing of protesters in Bani Suwayf during the January 25 revolution. Those were the former director of security of Bani Suwayf and three of his aides along with seven intelligence officers in the province. In addition, he overruled all civil lawsuits filed by the victims and fined them with 200 pounds for attorneys' fees.

It seems to us and for many people that these harsh verdicts are intended for intimidation and terrorization as being political rather than judicial decisions. Despite the confirmation of many Jurists that this verdict will be revoked; however, this means that the verdict is wrong and is politicized; making the judiciary lose its value and prestige, which some people still praise it despite the harsh judgments that reached 88 years for one of the defendants, 63 for another, and 57 for a third.

The Lord of the Glory Said:

[لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ]

"We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice." [Al-Hadid: 25]

The balance (Al-mizan) here is justice, which is the view of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and is the view of most commentators. Thus, the Almighty ordered people to be just in their dealings; and the way to this is following the messengers in what they informed, and obeying them in what they ordered, as what they brought is the clear truth.

Security, safety and real justice among people will not be achieved except under the shade of the second Khilafah "Caliphate" state which time has approached and its era has emerged. By it alone: blood, honor and properties will be protected, and people will be judged fairly. Oh Allah, we ask you to hasten its establishment, as You are The Best Protector and The Best Helper.

[إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا]

"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing." [An-Nisa: 58]

Sharif Zayed
Head of the Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Wilayah Egypt