Egyptian activist jailed for spreading 'false news’

By Mohamed al-Rayes

CAIRO (AA) – Egyptian judicial authorities have jailed prominent activist Mohamed Adel for 15 days pending investigation into charges of spreading false news, according to a defense lawyer on Wednesday.

In December 2013, Adel, a co-founder of the April 6 Youth Movement, was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of violating a protests law and assaulting police forces.

He was released in January 2017 on parole for another three years under which he has to check in at a police station every night as part of the terms of his release. He was re-arrested on Monday for allegedly spreading false news.

“Prosecutors have decided to remand him in custody for 15 days pending investigation into charges of spreading false news and incitement against the state,” lawyer Wael Ghali said.

Egyptian authorities have yet to officially issue a statement on the arrest, which has sparked uproar on social media in Egypt.

Several prominent activists have been detained by Egyptian authorities in recent months, including anti-regime critic Hazem Abdel-Azim, who faces similar charges of spreading false news and incitement.

The April 6 Youth Movement has played a major role in anti-regime protests that swept former autocrat Hosni Mubarak from power in 2011.