Egypt's Court of Cassation overturned on Saturday a five-year jail sentence and an EGP 209 million fine against of Mubarak-era politician Safwat El-Sherif and his son over corruption charges, ordering a retrial. El-Sherif was convicted along with his two sons last May of illicit gain and abuse of power during his long years of serving in government during the Mubarak era. El-Sherif's two sons were also sentenced in the case. One of the two sons, Ehab, had appealed the verdict with his father. The other son, Ashraf, was sentenced to 10 years in absentia, and therefore could not appeal the verdict. El-Sherif held various public posts under Mubarak including head of Egypt's State Information Body, the head of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, information minister and the speaker of Egypt's upper house in parliament, which was abolished in 2014. In 2012, a court acquitted El-Sherif and other high-level Mubarak figures of organising the so-called "Battle of the Camel," a deadly mob attack against anti-regime protesters during the 18-day uprising in 2011 that eventually toppled the long-time autocrat. Ahmed Fathy Sorour, the speaker of the house under Mubarak (1990-2011) represented El-Sherif in court today as defence attorney. Many other Mubarak-era figures have been cleared of corruption charges in recent years, with others reaching settlements in corruption cases with the Egyptian government. The Illicit Gains Authority has received 26 requests from other Mubarak-era figures for financial settlements with the government in corruption cases, according to Adel El-Saied, a justice ministry aide.
