Egyptian sentenced for one year imprisonment, over threatening the American ambassador

An Egyptian judicial source said that the higher state security court in Asyout on Wednesday sentenced an Egyptian for one year imprisonment because of sending a message threatening, via email, the American ambassador in Cairo David Welsh.

The attorney general asked for "maximum penalty" against Sameer Hanna ( 42 year old). Hanna was arrested by the beginning of January after he had threatened US ambassador Welsh that his life is vulnerable in case he visits Asyout. The message was sent before the visit of the ambassador to the city on December 11 and 12, 2002.

Hanna, an English language teacher, in a private school was accused of spreading wrong and misleading information damaging national interests. The intention behind Hanna's behavior is still unknown.