UN Calls For 'transparent Investigation' Into Ex-Egyptian President Morsi's Death

The United Nations human rights office Tuesday called for a "prompt, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation" into the death of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi

UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jun, 2019 ) :The United Nations human rights office Tuesday called for a "prompt, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation" into the death of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.

Morsi, 67, who was Egypt's first democratically elected president, died after he collapsed during a court appearance on Monday. He had been in jail since his ouster by the military in 2013.

His family have long raised concerns over his treatment in prison and say that the authorities refused a request for him to be buried in his home town.

Instead the former leader was laid to rest in eastern Cairo early on Tuesday morning under reportedly tight security, according to media reports.

A statement in Geneva from Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, pointed to Egypt's obligations to treat its prisoners humanely in calling for an investigation.

"Concerns have been raised regarding the conditions of Mr Morsi'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," he said.

"We believe it is clear there must be a thorough independent inquiry into the circumstances of Mr Morsi's death, including the conditions of his detention," he added.

Morsi died while appearing in court on spying charges. He was already facing decades in jail after being convicted in separate trials. A forensic report has been ordered into his death.