Egypt's Foreign Ministry expressed on Monday its "strong disapproval" of what it described as a Turkish "intervention" in judicial affairs, in the wake of 14 death sentences issued to Muslim Brotherhood leaders and supporters.
The Cairo Criminal Court ratified on Saturday death sentences served to Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie and 13 others for managing an "operations room" following the dispersal of the two pro-Mohamed Mursi camps in August 2013.
The court handed 37 other defendants life in prison sentences, many of whom were sentenced in absentia.
"The Foreign Ministry reiterates its utter refusal of any state's interference in the Egyptian judiciary's work and disrespect to its rulings," the ministry said in a statement, describing such interference as a violation of the separation of power principle.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry had condemned the sentences issued on Saturday in a statement released earlier today, describing the trial as "politically motivated".
"It is obvious that like the previous examples, these condemnations reached following legal proceedings that are far from meeting international standards, will not contribute to lasting social peace and stability in Egypt," the Turkish ministry said in its statement.
Among the defendants handed a life sentence is hunger-striking detainee Mohamed Soltan, the son of Brotherhood leading figure Salah Soltan.
Soltan, who holds an American citizenship, has been on hunger strike since January 2014 in protest over his detention, maintaining the longest hunger strike among those detained in Egypt. Soltan has repeatedly refused to end his strike and his life is believed to be in danger.
The United States condemned Soltan's life sentence and called for his "immediate release" from prison, in a statement released by the White House late Saturday.
"We remain deeply concerned about Mr. Soltan's health, which has suffered during his 20 month-long incarceration," the White House statement read. "The President is deeply committed to the welfare of all U.S. citizens abroad and we will ensure that Mr. Soltan continues to receive consular support until he can return safely to the United States, per his wishes."
