Egypt court reduces pro-reform activist's sentence
AFP
CAIRO- An Egyptian appeals court on Wednesday reduced the sentence of an anti-government political activist from six months in jail to three, a judicial source said.
Ahmad Saad Abu Duma had been convicted of striking a police officer in May when clashes broke out between security forces and members of the April 6 opposition group.
The group was protesting Egypt's emergency law and demanding constitutional reforms in the country.
The controversial law, which gives police wide powers of arrest, suspends constitutional rights and curbs non-governmental political activity. It was extended in May by a majority of MPs in the 454-member parliament.
Abu Duma had been sentenced by the court of first instance to six months in prison. The appeals court, which did not give a reason for the reduction, issued instructions that he should start his jail term immediately.
Anti-government protests, usually organised by small secular opposition groups, have gained momentum since former UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohammed ElBaradei returned to the country in February to press for reforms.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The controversial law, which gives police wide powers of arrest, suspends constitutional rights and curbs non-governmental political activity. It was extended in May by a majority of MPs in the 454-member parliament.
Abu Duma had been sentenced by the court of first instance to six months in prison. The appeals court, which did not give a reason for the reduction, issued instructions that he should start his jail term immediately.
Anti-government protests, usually organised by small secular opposition groups, have gained momentum since former UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohammed ElBaradei returned to the country in February to press for reforms.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------