The Cairo Criminal Court sentenced two defendants to life in prison and a third to 20 years in jail on Thursday for charges relating to sexual assault in Tahrir Square. They were also ordered to pay EGP 100,000 in compensation to the victims of the assaults.
The defendants were found guilty on charges relating to five separate cases sexual violence in Tahrir Square that took place between 3 and 8 June during large celebratory gatherings in the wake of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s election victory and inauguration.
Last month the South Cairo Criminal Court sentenced seven to life on charges of kidnapping, indecent assault, physical torture, attempted rape, and attempted murder. The charges were also connected to sexual violence in Cairo’s central square during large celebratory gatherings.
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women issued a report in April 2013 revealing that the majority of Egyptian women (99.3%) have experienced sexual harassment and 96.5% have been sexually assaulted.
