Jail Sentences for Four Editors of Independent Papers

On September 13, 2007 a surprise verdict condemned four editors of political tabloids to two years in jails for "humiliating the symbols of the ruling National Democratic Party". The four editors are Ibrahim Eissa, editor of al-Destour; Adel Hammouda, editor of al-Fagr; Wael Al-Ebrashi, editor of Sawt al-Umma; and Abdel-Halim Kandil, editor of al-Karama, all of whom have been critical of the regime. The editors will appeal this verdict.