EGYPT PUTS 21 PRO-MORSI STUDENTS, INCLUDING THREE GIRLS IN PRISON

Cairo, 24 Rajab 1435/23 May 2014 (MINA) –An Egyptian court issued an appealable verdict on Wednesday in favour of imprisoning 21 students from the University of Mansoura in the Dakahlia governorate who support former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. The students include three girls.

They have been sentenced to periods ranging from two to five years in prison, according to judicial sources.

Al-Sharq news portal cites a judicial source as saying that “the Department of Terrorism in the Criminal Court of Mansoura has decided to jail two female supporters of Morsi for two years, and they are: Abrar Alaa Anani (18 years) and Menat Allah Mustafa (18 years), in addition to imprisoning Yusra Mohammed Al-Khatib (21 years) for three years,” Middle East Monitor quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The sources added that another 18 students have been sentenced to five years in prison after being accused of “practicing acts of violence and vandalism, attacking public and university facilities, demonstrating without a permit, disturbing public peace and joining a terrorist organisation,” according to the court indictment.

The jury had decided earlier on 16 February to issue the verdict in a hearing session taking place on 20 March, but that was postponed to today’s session to enable further study of the case before coming to a decision.

The Egyptian authorities had first arrested the suspects on 12 November 2013, after the outbreak of clashes at Mansoura University between Morsi’s supporters and opponents, which lasted for more than five hours and left at least 70 wounded, according to estimates that medical sources announced then.

The same court also ruled in favour of imprisoning student Yusra Mohammed Khatib, 21 years, for three years, and student Abdullah Mons, 18 years, for 5 years, in another case where they are accused of storming the building of the university administration.

In addition, the court convicted ten other students in absentia and sentenced them to life imprisonment (25 years) in the same case.

In a third case, the same court sentenced Mustafa Deeb, Secretary General of the Syndicate of Engineers in Dakahlia, to seven years in prison with labour after allegedly being found guilty of inciting 18 college students and Morsi supporters to rioting, violence and demonstrating without permits on the campus on 12 November of last year. (T/Fauziah/P03/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)