An Alexandrian court has said that it will issue a verdict in the appeal of imprisoned activist Mahienour El-Massry on 20 July. El-Massry is appealing a two-year sentence and a fine of LE50, 000 for organising an unauthorised protest last December.
El-Massry is in detention while her appeal is considered.
The Alexandrian lawyer was convicted along with Loai Mohamed Abdel-Rahman, Omar Abdel-Aziz Hussein, Islam Mohamed Ahmed, Nasser Abul-Hamed Ibrahim, Hassan Mostafa, Moussa Hussein, and Hassan El-Siyad of organising an unauthorised protest, blocking the road, assaulting a police officer and destroying a police vehicle in a ruling in January.
In May, a court in Alexandria upheld the verdicts.
A "Free Mahienour" campaign was launched after her imprisonment to raise awareness of the activist’s detention and lobby for her release; it is supported by groups including the April 6 Youth Movement and the Freedom for the Brave campaign, which supports freedom for those detained for protesting.
El-Massry and her co-defendants were convicted under a controversial law passed last November which dictates that all public demonstrations must be pre-approved by the authorities. Other prominent liberal and leftist activists, including April 6 Youth Movement co-founders Ahmed Maher and Mohamed Adel and blogger Alaa Abdel-Fattah have all been jailed on similar charges. Islamist protesters who support ousted president Mohamed Morsi are also regularly arrested and convicted under the law.
Short link: