Egypt court jails dozens for 2016 ‘revolution of poor’

By Seyyid Fathi

CAIRO (AA) - An Egyptian court on Wednesday slapped over 70 people with jail terms for their participation in late 2016 in “unauthorized” protests dubbed “the revolution of the poor”.

A total of 71 people -- all tried in absentia -- were sentenced to 10 years in prison each for “staging demonstrations without permission and disturbing public peace”, defense lawyer Amr al-Farmawi told reporters outside the courtroom.

According to al-Farmawi, one defendant in the case was slapped with only two years behind bars while another was acquitted due to a lack of evidence.

Wednesday’s sentences, the lawyer said, still remain subject to appeal.

In November 2016, hundreds of Egyptians took to the streets in different parts of the country to protest rampant poverty and rising costs of living.

The protests were eventually dispersed by Egyptian security forces and dozens of demonstrators arrested.