Qaradawi’s son sentenced to 5 years for ‘spreading false news’

An Egyptian court yesterday sentenced the poet and writer Abdul Rahman Al-Qaradawi and two others in absentia to five years in prison on a charge of spreading false news that threatened the country’s security, according to a judicial source.

Abdul Rahman is the son of renowned Muslim scholar and President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Youssef Al-Qaradawi.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, told the Anadolu Agency that the New Cairo Misdemeanours Court sentenced Abdul Rahman, former judge Waleed Sharabi, and TV anchor Ayat Oraby to five-year terms and a fine of 500 Egyptian pounds ($30) each on charges of spreading false news. All three were sentenced in absentia as they do not live in Egypt.

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The source explained that the ruling may be appealed within 15 days.

The Public Prosecution had referred the defendants to the criminal court on charges of deliberately broadcasting false information, harming the country’s interests, disturbing peace and security and inciting against government institutions.

Last November, Abdul Rahman was sentenced to three years in prison, also on charges of disseminating false news.