Cairo Criminal Court sentenced on Wednesday in absentia activist Alaa Abdel Fattah and others for 15 years in prison over protesting illegally on Qasr al-Aini Street outside Shura Council in November, said Mona Seif, coordinator of the No for Military Trials for Civilians movement.
Neither Abdel Fattah or the other suspects attended the trial session, Seif said.
The previous trial session on 25 May was adjourned until 11 June, due to the absence of an ill judge.
Abdel Fattah, one of the outstanding activists opposed to military leaderships, along with 24 other defendants, are accused of attacking policeman, stealing his walkie-talkie, protesting without permission outside Shura Council, rioting, blocking road and damaging public property.
The prosecutor has also accused Abdel-Fattah of stealing a radio from a police officer under duress in conjunction with the rest of the defendants.
Alaa Abdel Fattah, one of the outstanding activists opposed to military leaderships, is facing, along with 24 other defendants, charges of protesting without prior approval from the Interior Ministry outside the Shura Council on 26 November during a demonstration condemning the trial of civilians by military courts.
In a phone call with Al-Masry Al-Youm, Ali al-Sayyed, lawyer defending Abdel Fattah, confirmed that Abdel Fattah was given the 15-year sentence in absentia.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
