Egyptian anti-corruption activist sentenced to four years over bribery case

A Giza misdemeanor court sentenced Tuesday prominent anti-corruption activist and former independent MP Hamdi El-Fakharany to four years in prison and an 100,000 Egyptian pounds fine on charges of blackmail.

The court found El-Fakharany guilty of blackmailing a businessman where he demanded 3.5 million pounds in return for dropping a corruption lawsuit against him.

El-Fakharany’s is best known for his high-profile corruption-related lawsuits against companies and businessmen in the past decade, including cases involving the Talaat Mostafa Group, the Palm Hills Group and gold producer Centamin.

This is a first degree court ruling that can be appealed.

source: Ahram Online