Urgent: 528 Egyptians condemned to die

After an unfair trail, 528 Egyptians have been sentenced to death. Please support Amnesty's efforts fighting egregious human rights abuses like mass executions. Donate now. https://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/site/c.6oJCLQPAJiJUG/b.6662481/k.2BA2/Donate_Now/apps/ka/sd/donorcustom.asp?msource=W1404EDCPR1 Dear Tracy, Egyptian authorities have just sentenced 528 people to death. 528 people! This is the largest number of death sentences handed down in one case in recent years. Are you as outraged as we are? Please make a donation to support our efforts to overturn the sentences, ensure fair retrials and fight egregious human rights abuses like mass executions. The defendants are supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi and their trials were far from fair. Convicted in just two sessions, more than 400 of the defendants were tried in absentia. There were no witnesses called. There was no review of the evidence. On the second day of the trial, defense lawyers were even blocked from the court! The announcement happened just as Amnesty released our annual review on the death penalty worldwide, which showed that the overall number of reported executions was up 15% last year. There is still time to avoid a human rights catastrophe. The cases have been referred to Egypt's highest religious figure, Grand Mufti Allam, who can speak out against the decision. Following the mufti's advisory opinion, the trial judge will formally issue his final decision on April 28. We're working with our teams on the ground to pressure Egyptian authorities to do the just thing. Overturn the convictions and order fair retrials. Donate to support our time-sensitive work. Thanks for all you do to defend human rights for all. Sunjeev Bery Director, Middle East and North Africa Amnesty International USA