74-year-old Briton sentenced to death in Egypt for drug smuggling
A British pensioner has been sentenced to death in Egypt after being found guilty of drug smuggling.
Ferndale was arrested with the other men in 2011 trying to bring three tons of cannabis into Egypt
By David Blair, agencies 4:45PM BST 03 Jun 2013
Charles Ferndale and four other men were first arrested in 2011 while trying to bring three tons of cannabis into Egypt from the Red Sea.
The death sentence, originally passed on April 7, was confirmed by a court in the coastal city of Hurghada on Monday. The other defendants, who come from Pakistan and the Seychelles, were also punished with capital sentences.
The Foreign Office voiced "extreme concern", adding that Britain opposed the death penalty in principle under all circumstances. "We're doing our utmost to prevent this execution," said a spokesman. Meanwhile, British consular officials had been in contact with Ferndale.
The death sentence must still be confirmed by higher courts and the final decision on whether to show clemency may rest in the hands of President Mohammed Morsi. Executions in Egypt are usually carried out by hanging.
According to reports, the drugs originated in Pakistan and the Egyptian authorities recovered the haul – worth an estimated £2.9 million – in 118 bags.
The Seychelles government told the Seychelles Nation that the boat was owned by Mr Ferndale and his crew were three Seychellois: Ronny Norman Jean, 41; Yvon John Vinda, 38; Dean Dominic Loze, 27, and Pakistani Munawar Saeed Khan, 44.
