Cairo: An Egyptian court on Wednesday sentenced a son of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and one of his friends to a year in prison each for possession and use of hashish.
Abdullah Morsi, 19, and his friend were arrested on March 1 after allegedly being found in possession of two hashish joints while they were in a car parked by the roadside in Qalyubia province, north of Cairo.
The two were freed the next day pending investigation after agreeing to give urine samples, which the prosecution says tested positive.
A court in Banha, in Qalyubia province, on Wednesday handed down sentences of one year in jail and fines of 10,000 Egyptian pounds (around $1,400 or 1,025 euros) each.
The defendants can appeal the verdict.
Defence lawyer Mohamed Abu Leila said the case "was fabricated".
"Rulings nowadays don't deserve comment; the entire system is defective," Abu Leila said.
Since Morsi was ousted by the army a year ago, the authorities have been accused of using the judiciary as a tool of repression.
Morsi himself and several leaders from his Muslim Brotherhood have been put on trial on charges that could lead to the death penalty.
Egypt, which on Thursday marks the first anniversary of the toppling of Morsi, has been roiled by unrest since his ouster.
A police crackdown targeting his supporters has sparked street clashes in which more than 1,400 people have died.
At least 16,000 others have been jailed with around 200 sentenced to death in speedy mass trials that have sparked an international outcry.
Abdullah Morsi, 19, and his friend were arrested on March 1 after allegedly being found in possession of two hashish joints while they were in a car parked by the roadside in Qalyubia province, north of Cairo.
The two were freed the next day pending investigation after agreeing to give urine samples, which the prosecution says tested positive.
The defendants can appeal the verdict.
Advertisement
"Rulings nowadays don't deserve comment; the entire system is defective," Abu Leila said.
Advertisement
Morsi himself and several leaders from his Muslim Brotherhood have been put on trial on charges that could lead to the death penalty.
Advertisement
A police crackdown targeting his supporters has sparked street clashes in which more than 1,400 people have died.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Actor Rakul Preet Singh's Brother Arrested In Drugs Case Rapper Wiz Khalifa Issues Apology After Being Arrested For Possessing Illegal Drugs In Romania Brazilian Drug Lord Arrested After Wife's Instagram Post Gives Away Location UP BJP Chief Tells PM He Wants To Quit, Amit Shah In Action Amid Rejig Buzz "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post Flying Squad Climbs Wall, Crashes Rajasthan School Exam, Finds Mass Cheating Fire Breaks Out In China Shopping Centre With People Trapped Inside: Report Deepika Padukone Said She Has Never Followed A Diet "That Is A Fad" US Woman Arrested For Sitting On Foster Son, 10, That Caused His Death Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.