- After he was found guilty of libelling a colleague, an Egyptian editor of the weekly tabloid 'Al-Obsess' was slammed a six months imprisonment by the court.
The Cairo court rejected Mustafa Bark's appeal, upheld the lower court's prison sentence and set aside its fine of US$ 875.
After the judge delivered the verdict, Mr Bark was reported as saying, "I am shocked. They can take me to prison any time." He has vowed to appeal the case once more.
A court official told local press that the judge would deliver his reasons for handing down the verdict later.
The convicted editor was an independent legislator who asked his immunity to be lifted to allow the lawsuit to proceed.
He was sued by a low-ranking journalist, Talbot Hasidim, over an article published in 'Al-Obsess' two years back in which the editor accused Mr Hasidim of supporting two "corrupt" men who were former cabinet minister and newspaper editor.
Mr Bark, who is believed to be in the habit of denigrating those he regarded as opponents of Egypt, accused Mr Hasidim of financial wrongdoing. At one point, Mr Bark wrote that a leading human rights activist Sad Edina Ibrahim - who was being tried for tarnishing Egypt's image - be hanged in public square. But the activist was acquitted on appeal.
The editor and journalist from the Independent 'Al-Dustour' - known for championing for democratic reform in Egypt as well as challenged the 25-year rule of President Hosni Mubarak - were each given a year's jail for reporting a complaint that accused Mr Mubarak of misusing the government's money.
Concerned about the increasing erosion of democracy and political freedom in their region, Arab and Muslim intellectuals and activists wrote an open letter to US President George Bush to come their aid.
"We know that some in the United States, worried by Islamist gains among voters in Palestine and Egypt, are having doubts about the wisdom of pushing for freedom and democracy in the Middle East. These worries are exploited by despots in the region to perpetuate the untenable status quo," the letter read.
"However, there is no way to advance liberty without inclusion of all elements that are willing to abide by democratic rules, and reject violence," the letter concluded.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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