afrol News, 26 March - A court in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Wednesday sent the country's most erudite and vocal editor to six months in prison for writing a story on the health of President Hosni Mubarak.

Ibrahim Eissa - Chief Editor of 'Al-Dustur' daily - was found guilty of spreading false information on the state of Mr Mubarak, which according to prosecutors, could threaten national stability as well as damaged the country's economy.

State prosecutors argued that Mr Eissa's August 2007 publication on President Mubarak's poor health led to the withdrawal of investors from Egypt.

Justice Sherif Kamel Mustapha of Bulaq court of misdemeanours presided over the case.

He is expected to file an appeal against the verdict, maintaining that it does not only violate international human rights instruments, but it also demonstrates Egyptian
government's continuous hostility towards the independent press.

Eissa described the verdict as a political decision because it confirmed the sacredness of Mr Mubarak from criticisms.

Egypt has been criticised by human and media rights organisations for trampling on the rights and freedoms of people.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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