Egypt sentences ex-minister, his 2 sons for corruption

CAIRO — Egypt’s official news agency says a Cairo Criminal Court has convicted and sentenced former Information Minister Safwat el-Sharif and two of his sons for corruption to between five and 10 years in prison.

The MENA news agency reported Saturday that el-Sharif and his son Ihab were each sentenced to five years. El-Sharif’s second son, Ashraf, was sentenced to 10 years in absentia. The court fined all three a total of 209 million Egyptian pounds, about $24 million.

The court says el-Sharif had abused his power and together with his sons illegally amassed huge amounts of money, along with real estate.

El-Sharif served as information minister and later as speaker of the parliament’s upper chamber, or Shura Council.

He was close to deposed autocratic President Hosni Mubarak. TVJ