CORRECTS - Egypt court jails prominent activist for 5 years

CORRECTS JAIL TERMS FOR TWO ACTIVISTS; OTHER SMALL CHANGES, INCLUDING DECK

By Diana Shalhub

ISTANBUL (AA) – An Egyptian court on Monday sentenced prominent political activist Alaa Abdel Fattah to five years in prison on charges of joining a terrorist group and spreading false news.

The Emergency State Security Misdemeanor Court also slapped lawyer Mohamed El-Baqer and blogger Mohamed Oxygen with a four-year jail term each, state-run Al-Ahram newspaper said.

The court also slapped Abdel-Fattah with a fine of 200,000 pounds ($13,000).

Prosecutors accused the three of spreading fake news and joining a terrorist group that seeks to suspend the constitution and laws, and prevent state institutions from carrying out their duties.

In November, Egypt’s Court of Cassation upheld a ruling to place Abdel-Fattah, El-Baqer, and 26 others on the country’s terrorism list for a five-year period.

On Friday, the German Foreign Ministry called on Egyptian authorities to carry out a fair trial for the three Egyptian activists.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a harsh statement in response, accusing Berlin of meddling in Egypt’s internal affairs.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara