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Alaa Abdel Fattah: Egypt jails activist-blogger for five years | Alaa Abdel Fattah: Egypt jails activist-blogger for five years |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An Egyptian court has jailed prominent blogger and pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah for five years at his retrial for violating a protest law. | |
He was previously given a 15-year jail term in the case over his alleged role in a protest in 2013. | |
Alaa Abdel Fattah gained fame during the 2011 uprising as a campaigner against military trials for civilians. | Alaa Abdel Fattah gained fame during the 2011 uprising as a campaigner against military trials for civilians. |
Al-Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed also appeared in the same court on Monday for their retrial. | |
The men were freed on bail earlier this month after more than a year behind bars. | |
The retrial was adjourned after a brief hearing, and they are next due in court on 8 March. | |
The journalists are accused of spreading false information and of helping the banned Muslim Brotherhood organisation. | The journalists are accused of spreading false information and of helping the banned Muslim Brotherhood organisation. |
Australian Peter Greste, the third journalist in the case, was freed on 1 February and deported to Australia. | Australian Peter Greste, the third journalist in the case, was freed on 1 February and deported to Australia. |
Court uproar | Court uproar |
Alaa Abdel Fattah was charged under laws that prohibit protests without prior government permission. | Alaa Abdel Fattah was charged under laws that prohibit protests without prior government permission. |
He was accused of organising an illegal protest in 2013, and of rioting and assaulting a policeman. | |
Rights groups say the charges are politically motivated and form part of a broader crackdown on dissent under President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, a former army chief. | Rights groups say the charges are politically motivated and form part of a broader crackdown on dissent under President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, a former army chief. |
Other defendants on trial with Abdel Fattah received sentences ranging from three to 15 years. | |
There was uproar in the courtroom after the verdicts, with supporters of the defendants calling for an end to military rule in Egypt. | There was uproar in the courtroom after the verdicts, with supporters of the defendants calling for an end to military rule in Egypt. |
Defence lawyers said they would appeal against the ruling. | Defence lawyers said they would appeal against the ruling. |
'Sham trial' | 'Sham trial' |
Rights groups have also criticised the case against the al-Jazeera journalists, describing it as an assault on press freedom. | Rights groups have also criticised the case against the al-Jazeera journalists, describing it as an assault on press freedom. |
At their original trial, Mr Greste and Mr Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison. Mr Mohamed received an additional three-year sentence on a separate charge involving possession of weapons. | At their original trial, Mr Greste and Mr Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison. Mr Mohamed received an additional three-year sentence on a separate charge involving possession of weapons. |
The defendants denied the charges, describing their trial as a sham. | The defendants denied the charges, describing their trial as a sham. |
Their convictions were overturned on 1 January, when the courts ordered a retrial. Exactly one month later, Mr Greste was released and deported to Australia. | Their convictions were overturned on 1 January, when the courts ordered a retrial. Exactly one month later, Mr Greste was released and deported to Australia. |
Several students have also been held in the same case. The students deny working for al-Jazeera but it is thought that material filmed on their phones was used by the network. | Several students have also been held in the same case. The students deny working for al-Jazeera but it is thought that material filmed on their phones was used by the network. |
After his retrial was adjourned, Mr Mohamed tweeted that he was concerned for the others still being held. |