EGYPT
October 2, 2014
3 minutes read

63 Coup Opponents Including 4 Girls Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

Legal sources said they would appeal the verdict to imprison 68 coup opponents, including 4 girls who received harsh sentences in absentia.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Giza Criminal Court, held at the Police Academy in Torah (south of Cairo), sentenced 63 opponents of the coup to 15 years in jail, and five other opponents to 10 years, in a case related to the ‘October 6’ (2013) anniversary demonstrations. The defendants were also placed on probation for a period of 5 years after their release.

All the defendants were also fined 20,000 Egyptian Pounds (US$2800) each. Of those defendants, 64 are remanded in custody pending case investigations, in addition to 4 girls being tried in absentia.

Separately, the "Students against the Coup" opposition movement said: "22 students, including 3 female students, have received jail terms and a fine in this farcical case", adding that the sentences were both harsh and unjust.

In a statement, the movement further said: "The court issued that verdict against the students without any regard for the law or for their future".

When the anti-demonstration law was issued, in November 2013, it sparked controversy and was rejected by human rights organizations, activists and opponents of military rule.