Egypt activist slapped with 15 years behind bars

CAIRO (AA) - An Egyptian court Wednesday sentenced prominent political activist Ahmed Douma to 15 years behind bars for alleged violence that took place in the wake of Egypt’s 2011 popular uprising.

Local media reports cited an unnamed judicial source as saying that a Cairo criminal court had slapped Douma with a 15-year prison term and a fine of 6 million Egyptian pounds (the equivalent of roughly $330,000).

Wednesday's court ruling can still be appealed before the Court of Cassation, Egypt’s highest appellate court.

Douma's case dates back to 2011, when clashes erupted outside Egypt's cabinet building after police had detained an anti-regime protester.

Demonstrators at the time had been protesting a decision by Egypt's then-ruling Supreme Military Council to appoint veteran politician Kamal al-Ganzouri as acting prime minister.

Al-Ganzouri had served as prime minister under autocratic President Hosni Mubarak, who was forced to step down after four decades in power in the wake of the 2011 popular uprising.

More than a dozen people were killed -- and hundreds more injured -- in ensuing violence outside the cabinet building.