Egypt jails lawyer over 'insulting' BBC interview

An Egyptian court on Tuesday sentenced a human rights lawyer to a year in prison over what he said during a BBC television interview.

Speaking to the BBC News Arabic, Zyad el-Elaimy accused the authorities of terrorising their political opponents.

He also criticised President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi for not engaging with the opposition.

In court, the defendant - who's a former MP - was accused of "challenging and insulting" the president, and spreading false news.

Mr Elaimy is yet to stand trial in a separate case in which he and others are alleged to have plotted against the state.

#Egypt: #HumanRights Lawyer Zyad el-Elaimy Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison for Fake News @AP https://t.co/ytNl203lkX pic.twitter.com/Ot6BJ5CGBh

— Linda Hemby (@LindaHemby) March 10, 2020