Prominent Egyptian activist has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for breaking a law that forbids unauthorised protests from being organised.
Alaa Abdel-Fattah was an activist who played a leading role in organising protests in the country's 2011 revolt against former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. He had also opposed the military rule that followed the departure of Mr Mubarak, and was accused of breaking anti-protest laws that were subsequently put in place.
As the verdict was being read out, chants of “Down, down with military rule!” erupted in the court.
Defense lawyer Mohammed Abdel-Aziz said the verdict was "harsh and oppressive" adding that the court "didn't take into consideration any of the evidence that showed the defendants' innocence".
"Regrettably, the verdict was expected,” said another lawyer, Taher Abou el-Nasr. “We no longer expect acquittal."
Alaa Abdel-Fattah was an activist who played a leading role in organising protests in the country's 2011 revolt against former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. He had also opposed the military rule that followed the departure of Mr Mubarak, and was accused of breaking anti-protest laws that were subsequently put in place.
As the verdict was being read out, chants of “Down, down with military rule!” erupted in the court.
Defense lawyer Mohammed Abdel-Aziz said the verdict was "harsh and oppressive" adding that the court "didn't take into consideration any of the evidence that showed the defendants' innocence".
"Regrettably, the verdict was expected,” said another lawyer, Taher Abou el-Nasr. “We no longer expect acquittal."