CAIRO: A court sentenced activist Ahmed Douma to six months in prison on Sunday, with the option of paying a bail of 5,000 Egyptian pounds to be released. Douma was accused of insulting the president and spreading false information with the purpose of disrupting public order. "This is disgusting and shows just how much power [President Mohamed] Morsi wants to have over the control of people and the destruction of freedom of speech," activist Yussif told Bikyanews.com on Monday. "I am so disturbed by this and how the country has turned into another Mubarak with the Muslim Brotherhood." Douma, who pleaded not guilty, was transferred from Damanhour to Cairo last Sunday evening upon an order by the Justice Minister. A prosecutor has ordered that Douma be detained pending investigations over allegations of spreading false information likely to harm the public interest and slandering Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, describing him as a criminal and outlaw. The case has left the activist community frustrated and demanding answers over the future of freedom of speech and honesty in the country over two years since the January uprising ousted Mubarak from power. "Nothing changes from those in power it seems," added Yussif. BN
