Egypt summons British ambassador to protest remarks on Marriott cell case

The Foreign Ministry summoned on Sunday British Ambassador here John Casson to strongly protest his comments on judicial rulings in the Marriott Cell case.

The ministry, in a statement, considered his statements an unacceptable interference in the rulings of the Egyptian judiciary.

After the court on Saturday sentenced three journalists of Aljazeera to three years imprisonment for operating without a license and broadcasting material harmful to Egypt, the ambassador said the rulings will undermine the confidence in steps taken by Egypt to achieve stability based on the implementation of the rights stipulated in the Constitution.

The Egyptian ministry said Casson's statements totally violate diplomatic norms as an ambassador of a foreign country whose main mission should be to bolster relations with the country he is accredited in.

Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said what is important is the confidence of the Egyptians in the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

Egypt does not take lessons from any one, the spokesman added.

The case was dubbed the "Marriott Cell" by the local press because they worked out of a hotel belonging to that chain.

Source: MENA