Cairo Criminal Court has sentenced two men to life in prison, and another to 20 years in jail, convicted of sexual assault during the celebrations of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's inauguration in Tahrir Square. 

 

The court sentenced Karim Shaaban and Ahmed Said to life, while Magdy El-Siyad was sentenced to 20 years and another five on probation after serving his term. The convicted were also ordered to pay the victims LE100,000 in compensation. 

 

The defendants were convicted of charges that included indecent assault and abduction, as well threatening victims with force. 

 

The sexual assaults in the case took place in June.

 

Rights groups have documented 250 cases of sexual violence against women between November 2012 and January 2014, including mass sexual assaults in Tahrir Square, especially during large gatherings.

 

This is the second verdict involving lengthy jail terms after sexual harassment was criminalised by the authorities. In July, Cairo Criminal Court sentenced nine men to life in jail for sexually assaulting women near Tahrir Square. 

 

The government earlier issued a law that establishes a penalty for sexual harassers of at least six months in jail and a minimum fine of LE3,000.