Wael Abbas

Original Report

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a court decision to sentence the popular and award-winning Egyptian blogger Wael Abbas, left, to six months in prison and calls on Egyptian authorities to put an end to years-long harassment leveled against him.

In November 2009, Abbas was sentenced to six months in prison and a fine of 500 Egyptian pounds (US$90) on a charge of damaging an Internet cable, Abbas’ defense lawyer Rawda Ahmed told CPJ. A Cairo appeals court tossed out the conviction in February, calling the charges unfounded. Ahmed said the Ministry of Interior then brought the case to the Economic Court with a new charge of “providing telecommunications service to the public without permission from authorities.” According to local news reports, the Economic Court sentenced Abbas on Wednesday to six months in prison and a fine of 500 Egyptian Pounds (US $90). Neither Abbas nor his lawyer was notified of the new proceeding. Source: CPJ

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