Italian newspaper La-Luce names late Egyptian President Morsi personality of year 2019

Italy’s La-Luce newspaper has named former and late Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi “personality of the year 2019” for his sacrifice for democracy”.

The media last week published the picture of the former leader on its cover with the description: Uomo Dell’ Anno 2019 (The man of year 2019).

The paper said it handed the recognition to Morsi because he has been “able to keep his promise until his death,” citing in this connection his statement: “If the price of protecting democratic legitimacy is my blood, then I am ready to offer my blood for the sake of salvation and justice in this country [Egypt].”

It also praised Egypt’s first democratically elected President for allowing demonstrations and for promoting freedom of speech.

“Despite Egypt’s poor economic conditions and its broken, corrupt national system after the 2011 revolution, Morsi had exerted notable efforts to revive the country from its crisis,” the newspaper pointed out.

“He did not arrest any opponents, did not shoot protestors’ crowds, did not suppress demonstrations,” the paper added.

Morsi died in June last year in court. Elected in 2012 and Toppled in July 2013 by incumbent Fattah al-Sisi, the member of the Mulism Brotherhood was put on trial on multiple charges.

Al Sisi’s regime is blamed by rights groups for thwarting human rights and freedom of speech. Hundreds of activists, journalists have been reportedly locked up on trumped charges.