The United States has again raised concerns of Egypt's human rights record.
The concern was raised by US officials in the wake of Egypt's sentencing of a leading human rights activist to seven years in prison on charges that include spying for Washington.
The Middle East Newsline (MENL) reported that US diplomats held talks with Egypt in Cairo and in Washington. This included a meeting between US ambassador to Egypt Daniel Kurtzer and Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher.
The State Department said it was deeply troubled by the sentencing of Saad Eddin Ibrahim and 27 codefendants. They were charged with espionage and helping foreign governments undermine Egypt by providing foreign diplomats with reports on Egypt's domestic situation.
"We've been expressing all along our concerns about the process that resulted in this sentence," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher was quoted as saying.
Human rights groups said they harbor doubts over the fairness of the trial. The New York-based Human Rights Watch pointed to the speed with which the verdict was reached.
The Washington Post urged in an editorial Wednesday the US administration to reconsider the $2b aid to Egypt in light of its human rights record.
Five human rights groups in the Arab country are due to issue a statement on Thursday condemning the verdict – Albawaba.com
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