Egyptian activists sentenced

Three of Eygpt’s most prominent secular activists from the 2011 revolution have been sentenced to three years in prison for breaking a new law which restricts demonstrations. They were also convicted of attacking police officers.

Ahmed Maher, Mohammed Ade and Ahmed Douma have also been fined over €5200 each by Judge Amir Assem.

The three were among a group of demonstrators outside the upper house of parliament in November.

The new law states that public gatherings of more than ten people must be authorised. The current military installed government has defended the measure, saying it protects the rights of citizens.

Asmaa Mahfouz, a blogger and activist, said: “The authorities are trying to tell the people that there’s no freedom or humanity and want everybody to forget all the principles of the 25th revolution.”

The three men are founding members of the “April 6” movement, which was one of the main forces behind the 2011 protests against former President Hosni Mubarak.