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UN rights office calls for independent probe into Mursi death

The UN human rights office called Tuesday for an "independent inquiry" into former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi's death while in state custody. "Any sudden death in custody must be followed by a prompt, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation carried out by an independent body to clarify the cause of death," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Reuters WORLD
Published June 18,2019
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The United Nations human rights office called on Tuesday for an independent investigation into the death of Egypt's former President Mohamed Mursi, saying it should encompass all aspects of his treatment during nearly six years in custody.

Egypt's ex-president was buried in a small family ceremony early on Tuesday a day after he suffered a fatal heart attack in court, his sons said, as supporters posted messages of grief and anger.

"Concerns have been raised regarding the conditions of Mr. Mursi's detention, including access to adequate medical care, as well as sufficient access to his lawyers and family, during his nearly six years in custody. He also appears to have been held in prolonged solitary confinement," U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said in a statement.

"The investigation should be carried out by a judicial or other competent authority that is independent of the detaining authority and mandated to conduct prompt, impartial and effective investigations into the circumstances and causes of his death," he said.