x

Egypt jails prominent political figure for a year over ‘false news’

An Egyptian court has sentenced one of the leading activists of the 2011 “Arab Spring” uprising to a one-year prison term after convicting him of spreading false news, a judicial source and a lawyer said.

Zyad Elelaimy, a prominent rights lawyer and former member of parliament already in detention since June 2019 over separate charges, was also fined 20,000 Egyptian pounds (1,272 dollars) by a Cairo misdemeanor court on Tuesday, they added.

The court found Elelaimy guilty three years after a lawyer reported him to prosecutors citing an interview he had given to the BBC, his lawyer Ahmed Fawzi told Reuters.

Fawzi said the defence team had been unable to clarify in court which comments Elelaimy was being prosecuted for.

The defence team has appealed against the sentence, and a hearing is due to be held on April 7, Fawzi added.

Amnesty International condemned the ruling as based on “unfounded charges” and called on Egyptian authorities to immediately release him.

“He is a prisoner of conscience, who has been swept up in Egypt’s ruthless purge of critics and opponents,” it added in a statement.

Elelaimy was one of the leading Egyptian activists during the 2011 popular revolts across the region that toppled long-serving autocrat Hosni Mubarak and several other Arab leaders.

Mubarak died last month.

President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi – like Mubarak a former senior military officer – has overseen a crackdown on dissent that has targeted liberal opponents as well as the Islamists who briefly held power after the Arab Spring.

Tens of thousands of people have been detained, though Sisi has denied holding political prisoners.

He and his backers say the measures are necessary to stabilize Egypt.

Elelaimy was detained with several others last June on charges including spreading false news and coordinating with a terrorist group – charges commonly used against protesters and political opposition figures.

Colleagues and activists said the arrests were aimed at preventing the formation of a secular coalition ahead of parliamentary elections due later this year. (Reuters)

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

North-central Forum Blames You for Apc Loss

. knocks Humanitarian minister, Yilwatda By Israel Adamu, Jos  The North-Central All...

Ogbe’s Appo Role Boosts Africa’s Energy Future

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa   In a major boost for Africa’s oil...

Comandrthyann Drops Ep ‘beautiful

Johnson Mary-Ann Akalo who is better known in the...

Benue Apc Backs Alia for 2027

By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi  As the 2027 general elections draw...

Plateau Group Rejects Mutfwang’s Move

By Isreal Adamu, Jos  Plateau state All progressive Congress Vanguard...

Prosperity Cup: Advance Dreams in Final

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa  Advance Dreams Football Academy of Yenagoa punched...

Bayelsa Plans Expanded Partnership With Zipline for Health, Agriculture

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa  The Bayelsa State Government has announced...

Dangote Commends Bayelsa’s Economic Vision at Historic Mou Signing

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa  Africa’s business magnate Aliko Dangote has...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img