EGYPT COURT SENTENCES MORSI SPOKESMAN TO JAIL

Cairo, 9 Muharam 1436/2 November 2014 (MINA) – An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced Yasser Ali, a presidential spokesman under ousted president Mohamed Morsi, for six months in jail after convicting him of hiding Hesham Qandil, Morsi’s prime minister, away, even as he was wanted by the authorities, a judicial source said.

The source added that the court also found Ali guilty of joining the Muslim Brotherhood movement and helping Qandil in his failed bid to escape outside Egypt, Middle East Monitor quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The Brotherhood, the movement from which Morsi hails, was branded a “terrorist” movement by the government late last year.

A Muslim Brotherhood source, meanwhile, said Saturday’s ruling meant that Ali would be released soon because he has been in jail pending his trial for six months already.

The source, who requested anonymity, added that Ali expected to finalize his release procedures on Sunday.

The former presidential spokesman was arrested in December and accused of hiding Qandil, who was wanted by the authorities then, away.(T/R04/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)