Egypt sentences ex-minister, sons for corruption
Punishment reaches 5-10 years each, $24m fine over abuse of power, illegal financial dealings
CAIRO — Egypt’s official news agency said Saturday a Cairo Criminal Court has convicted and sentenced former information minister Safwat el-Sharif and two of his sons for corruption to between five and 10 years in prison.
The MENA news agency reported Saturday that el-Sharif and his son Ihab were each sentenced to five years. El-Sharif’s second son, Ashraf, was sentenced to 10 years in absentia. The court fined all three a total of 209 million Egyptian pounds, about $24 million.
The court says el-Sharif had abused his power and together with his sons illegally amassed huge amounts of money, along with real estate.
El-Sharif served as information minister and later as speaker of the parliament’s upper chamber, or Shura Council.
He was close to deposed autocratic President Hosni Mubarak.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.