Egypt to release Morsi-era prime minister

Former Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil will soon be released after a court acquitted him of charges of failing to execute a court order during his tenure in office.

The Cassation Court acquitted Qandil on Sunday after he lodged an appeal against his one-year sentence, and fined him 2,000 Egyptian pounds ($280).

Judicial sources told the Anadolu news agency that authorities are not holding Qandil arbitrarily, and that he will remain in custody at Tora Prison until a release notice is submitted to the prison authorities, this is expected to happen by tomorrow.

Following the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, Qandil refused to serve as interim prime minister and submitted his resignation. He was detained in December.