The U.N. wants an impartial investigation into Mohamed Morsi’s death
The United Nations on Tuesday called for an independent investigation into the death of Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's former president, who collapsed and died — possibly from a heart attack or stroke — on Monday inside a courtroom in Cairo.
Morsi was Egypt's first democratically elected president in 2012, but was ousted after just a year in power. Morsi, who was once a top member of the Muslim Brotherhood, was then imprisoned and reportedly held in solitary confinement after the military-backed government led by current Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi tried him and other members of the party on various charges. He reportedly suffered from diabetes and liver disease while in prison. Crispin Blunt, the former chair of the foreign affairs select committee in the United Kingdom who led an independent review of Morsi's prison conditions last year, said he was concerned the former president was not receiving treatment for those ailments.
The U.N. apparently shares Blunt's concern, and the organization wants an impartial probe to focus on whether Morsi's lack of access to medical care and his prolonged stay in solitary confinement contributed to his death. Morsi's supporters and various human rights groups have also called for an investigation. Those have been dismissed by Cairo as politically motivated, but the U.N.'s addition to the fold could force the government's hand, The Washington Post reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Meanwhile, Morsi was buried in a remote area of Cairo on Tuesday; his son said Egyptian authorities refused to allow a burial at the family grounds in Sharqiyah province.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published