Egyptian activists get life sentences
CAIRO – An Egyptian court sentenced 230 people, including one of the leading activists behind the country’s 2011 uprising, to life in prison after convicting them Wednesday of taking part in clashes between protesters and security forces later that year.
All were tried in absentia except Ahmed Douma, a secular activist who is already serving a three-year-sentence for breaking a draconian law regulating protests. Thirty other people, all minors, were sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The ruling, which can be appealed, is the heaviest sentence yet against the secular activists who spearheaded the mass protests four years ago that forced longtime autocratic President Hosni Mubarak to step down.
Greek leader hopeful about debt talks
PARIS – European Union leaders cautioned Wednesday that talks with Greece over its demands to ease its bailout loans will be tough, though the country’s new prime minister was upbeat about a possible solution.
With all Europe waiting to see how Greece proposes to renegotiate its massive bailout loans, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his finance minister are on a whirlwind tour of the region to discuss possible solutions.
Tsipras wants easier terms of repayment on the $271 billion in bailout loans and to relax the austerity budget measures the country has been required to make.
“I’m very optimistic after these discussions that we are in a good way,” Tsipras said.
Associated Press
