Local reports in Egypt say deposed president Mohamed Mursi will be executed on the first day of the religious holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Several local newspapers have quoted anonymous sources from the Interior Ministry saying there are plans to carry out the death sentence on the first day of Eid.

So far, these reports are unconfirmed, with no official announcement coming from the ministry. A spokesperson from Egypt’s state security police force tells MEED “no decision has been made, but there have been talks about carrying out the sentence on the first day of Eid”.

Executions on Eid are not uncommon in the region, with former president of Iraq Saddam Hussein hanged during Eid on 30 December 2006.

Many have criticised the Egyptian government for Mursi’s death sentence, claiming it may exacerbate tensions and help the Muslim Brotherhood use the execution as a symbolic moment to gain more support.

President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi is also under pressure from the international community regarding Mursi’s death sentence, and it remains unclear exactly when and if the verdict will be acted upon.