<<Print>>

Amnesty International has condemned a sharp rise in the use of the death penalty in Egypt, accusing authorities of a "horrifying execution spree".

The campaign group said Egypt executed at least 57 people in October and November alone, nearly double the number recorded in the whole of 2019.

Egypt has not commented on the report.

Last month Amnesty condemned what it called the "chilling escalation" of a government crackdown on civil society in Egypt.

Human rights groups say dozens of activists have been arrested or subjected to travel bans and asset freezes under President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.

Mr Sisi led the military's overthrow of his democratically elected predecessor Mohammed Morsi in 2013 following protests against his rule.

President Sisi has maintained that there are no political prisoners in Egypt and that security and stability in the country are paramount.