Briton, 74, accused of drug smuggling faces death sentence

Ferndale was arrested along with four others earlier this year, allegedly part of an “international gang”, caught trying to smuggle three tons of hashish into Egypt via its south-eastern coast, a court official in the Red Sea Province said.

The Foreign Office said it was “extremely concerned” about the British sailor. Its spokesman said: “The British Government is extremely concerned at the death sentence passed down to a British national on April 7, and confirmed on June 3. We are opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. Our consular team in Cairo are in contact with the British prisoner and we will do our utmost to prevent this execution.”

A source said an official from the British Embassy in Egypt was in court. In addition to the death sentences, the court imposed a fine of 85 million Egyptian pounds (£8m), according to the official. Those convicted are a Briton, a Pakistani, and three individuals from the Seychelles.