Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Woman who criticized Egypt's handling of sexual harassment jailed for spreading 'false news'
Source: Washington Post
Woman who criticized Egypt’s handling of sexual harassment jailed for spreading ‘false news’
By Siobhán O'Grady
September 29 at 2:21 PM
Egyptian activist Amal Fathy’s Facebook video was only 12 minutes long — but that was enough to catch the attention of Egyptian authorities and earn her a two-year jail sentence for “spreading false news.”
In early May, Fathy posted a video to Facebook that described how she had been sexually harassed at a bank. She also criticized living conditions in Egypt more generally and discussed issues of sexual harassment at large, claiming the government does not do enough to protect women from this type of aggressive behavior.
The video circulated widely online and was picked up by some media outlets. Days later, police arrived at her house to arrest her. Since then, she has spent more than 140 days in prison, and allegations against her have grown to include claims she belongs to a terrorist organization. Reuters reported she was a member of the April 6 youth movement, an activist group that is now banned.
On Saturday, an Egyptian court handed down a two-year jail sentence and a fine of about $560. Fathy’s bail, which Amnesty International said in a statement would temporarily suspend the sentence, was posted at about $1,120. Saturday’s sentencing was over charges she spread false news that authorities determined was damaging to Egypt’s national security. Other charges are pending.
-snip-
By Siobhán O'Grady
September 29 at 2:21 PM
Egyptian activist Amal Fathy’s Facebook video was only 12 minutes long — but that was enough to catch the attention of Egyptian authorities and earn her a two-year jail sentence for “spreading false news.”
In early May, Fathy posted a video to Facebook that described how she had been sexually harassed at a bank. She also criticized living conditions in Egypt more generally and discussed issues of sexual harassment at large, claiming the government does not do enough to protect women from this type of aggressive behavior.
The video circulated widely online and was picked up by some media outlets. Days later, police arrived at her house to arrest her. Since then, she has spent more than 140 days in prison, and allegations against her have grown to include claims she belongs to a terrorist organization. Reuters reported she was a member of the April 6 youth movement, an activist group that is now banned.
On Saturday, an Egyptian court handed down a two-year jail sentence and a fine of about $560. Fathy’s bail, which Amnesty International said in a statement would temporarily suspend the sentence, was posted at about $1,120. Saturday’s sentencing was over charges she spread false news that authorities determined was damaging to Egypt’s national security. Other charges are pending.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/09/29/an-egyptian-woman-said-she-was-sexually-harassed-now-shes-been-sentenced-prison/