15 arrested during referendum sentenced to 2 years
On Saturday, Qasr al-Nile Misdemeanors Court sentenced 15 members of a group known as Ultras Revolutionary to two years in jail and a LE50,000 fine on charges of breaking into Tahrir Square, attempting to disrupt the constitutional voting process last month, as well as protesting and attacking police forces, state-run news portal EgyNews reported.
The court stated that the defendants protested without permission in front of the Opera House, blocked the surrounding streets and verbally attacked security forces, according to privately owned Al-Masry Al-Youm.
The defense stated that the prosecution did not offer enough proof and that the case lacks evidence, also calling into question the arrest procedure and the search warrant. In addition, they described the police officers' testimony as contradictory and stated that the police force has fabricated the case against the defendants.
The defendants were arrested on January 15 during the referendum, and were also accused of belonging to a terrorist group.
أخبار ذات صلة
Voting in the dark: Ramming the constitutional amendments through
“What difference does it make what [voters] know or don’t know?” says one parliamentary source.
Ballot-box politics: What has pushed Egypt’s opposition to vote ‘no’?
Unlike in previous votes, more opposition members are calling for a 'no' vote than for a boycott.
National referendum on constitutional amendments to begin 3 days after parliamentary approval
A national referendum on amendments to the Constitution will be held this weekend
A disintegrating coalition: Rifts re-emerge after Dostour Party’s default leadership election
Rifts have re-emerged within the Dostour Party days after the default election of Khaled Dawoud as party president
Your support is the only way to ensure independent, progressive journalism survives.
You have a right to access accurate information, be stimulated by innovative and nuanced reporting, and be moved by compelling storytelling. Subscribe now to become part of the growing community of members who help us maintain our editorial independence.
Join us