Mohamed Morsi
Mohamed Morsi: From President to Prisoner
Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, was ousted from power in July 2013 by the military after mass protests against his rule. He was subsequently arrested and sentenced to death, but the sentence was later overturned. Morsi died in prison on June 17, 2019, at the age of 67.
Early Life and Career
Mohamed Morsi was born on August 20, 1951, in Sharqiya Governorate, Egypt. He studied engineering at Cairo University and later earned a doctorate in materials science from the University of Southern California. Morsi worked as a professor at Zagazig University before entering politics.
Political Career
Morsi joined the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's largest Islamist group, in the 1970s. He was elected to parliament in 2000 and served as the Brotherhood's spokesman from 2002 to 2005. After the 2011 Egyptian revolution, Morsi was elected president in June 2012.
Presidency
Morsi's presidency was marked by political turmoil and economic instability. He faced opposition from both the military and the secular opposition, who accused him of trying to impose Islamic law on Egypt. In June 2013, mass protests erupted against Morsi's rule, and the military intervened to remove him from power.
Arrest and Trial
Following his ouster, Morsi was arrested and charged with a variety of crimes, including treason and incitement to violence. He was sentenced to death in 2015, but the sentence was later overturned. Morsi remained in prison until his death in 2019.
Legacy
Mohamed Morsi's legacy is complex and controversial. He was Egypt's first democratically elected president, but his rule was short-lived and ended in chaos. His supporters see him as a martyr who was unjustly persecuted, while his detractors view him as a dangerous Islamist who sought to undermine Egypt's democracy.
Personal Life
Mohamed Morsi was married to Naglaa Ali Mahmoud. They had five children together.