Egypt court sentences 11 'Hisham Ashmawy cell' members to prison

Egypt court sentences 11 'Hisham Ashmawy cell' members to prison
Eleven people formed a cell named after Hisham Ashmawy, a former officer executed on terrorism charges, according to Egyptian authorities.
1 min read
28 December, 2021
Egyptian court sentences 11 terrorist cell members to prison [Getty]

CAIRO - An Egyptian state security court sentenced on Monday sentenced 11 people to prison in a case dubbed the "Hisham Ashmawy  terrorist cell", according to the official state-run Middle East News Agency (MENA).

The cell members were convicted of terrorism-related activities that state security said took place between 2013 and 2016 for the purpose of "disturbing social order", "endangering public safety", and "disrupting the constitution", the report said.  

They were also found guilty of targeting army and police forces, "undermining the freedom of citizens", and "putting national unity and social peace at risk", MENA reported.

The men have been given jail sentences between 10 to 15 years, while one minor will be placed in a juvenile facility. The verdicts cannot be appealed.

The cell was named after former army officer Hisham Ashmawy, who was executed in March 2020 on terrorism charges.