Egypt court sentences at least 15 Americans in absentia in NGO case, jails one

An Egyptian court on Tuesday sentenced at least 15 US citizens in absentia to five years in jail and one American who stood on trial was jailed for two years in a case against foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Judge Makram Awad also ordered the closure of the NGOs, including the U.S.-based International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute.

He gave five-year sentences in absentia to 11 other defendants identified by the charge sheet as nationals of Norway, Serbia, Germany and Arab states. At least 11 Egyptians were given one-year suspended sentences.