Egypt passes life sentences to 2 pro-democracy protesters

Two pro-democracy protesters in Egypt were sentenced to life yesterday; while 12 others were given ten year prison terms and a further nine will be incarcerated for five years, according to local lawmakers.

The Sohag Criminal Court sentenced 22 demonstrators in absentia, while acquitting another seven in the same case of storming Al-Atamna police station, attacking the security forces in charge of protecting it, and setting fire to its premises. The case involves 30 defendants.

The verdict was issued under the presidency of

Judge Hamdi Abdel Aziz presided over proceedings amidst tight security around the courthouse. Security forces closed the road in front of the court, banned cars and motorcycles from parking near the building and completed security and ID checks on everyone entering the court.

The prosecution had earlier charged the detainees with “participating in an assembly for the purpose of intimidation, instilling fear, and deliberate destruction using force and violence as they carried light and heavy weapons.”

The detainees were also charged with using force against police officer Abdul Hamid Tawfiq, head of Al-Atamna police station and his force “for the purpose of intimidating them and causing physical harm to force them to leave their workplace”.