Egypt has upheld the death sentence of ousted President Mohamed Morsi and dozens of others. The ruling came in the case of a 2011 prison break, one year before Morsi became Egypt’s first democratically elected leader. He was later ousted in a 2013 coup. Morsi’s attorneys say they will appeal. The ruling drew international criticism, including from the U.S., a key ally of the Egyptian regime. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the U.S. is “deeply troubled” by Morsi’s sentence.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest: “We are deeply troubled by the politically motivated sentences that have been handed down against former President Morsi and several others by an Egyptian court today. We understand that Mr. Morsi’s attorneys intend — Mr. Morsi’s attorney intends to appeal the sentence. The United States has repeatedly raised concerned about the detention and sentencing of a variety of political figures in Egypt. And we are concerned that the proceedings have been conducted in a way that is not only contrary to universal values, but also damaging to the stability that all Egyptians deserve.”

In a report on Egypt quietly submitted to Congress last month, the Obama administration found “the overall trajectory for rights and democracy has been negative.” But the report concludes that despite a series of abuses and the undermining of a free society, Egypt is too important to U.S. interests for any cuts to annual military aid.