Gay rights clash: Obama, African host are at odds

Egypt convicts US NGO workers

Sixteen Americans - including Transportation Secretary Sam LaHood son - from 43 persons guilty of receiving funds from abroad

A Cairo criminal court sentenced 43 NGO workers, including at least 16 Americans, to operate without a license and receiving foreign funds. The case has caused international outrage, acidification relationships between Egypt and the United States, and the inflamed inner fears about the possibility of foreign funds to influence political affairs.

Twenty-seven of the defendants, who were tried in absentia, were sentenced to prison terms of five years. Eleven of those who attended the trial received sentences of one year and five received two years. The judge also ruled that Makram Awad non-governmental organizations working for the accused must be closed in Egypt.

most Americans - including Sam LaHood, son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood - had already left the country. LaHood received a sentence of five years.

The case dates back to December 2011, when police carried out 17 armed NGO offices in Cairo raids, arresting employees and equipment seized. Forty-three employees of organizations such as the National Democratic Institute and funded by the U.S. government (NDI) and Freedom House, were eventually prosecuted for illegally in Egypt.

According to Egyptian law, NGOs must be officially registered with the government. However, critics argue that the law is ambiguous. According to Article 5 of this law governing civil society organizations that do not receive a reply to your registration within 60 days are considered legal.

As the judge delivered his verdict, shocked cries were heard in the room. Speaking on Tuesday, the defendants told the guard they were sure that there was no legal basis for the lawsuit.

• NGOs said the government was aware of his activities during his stay in Egypt. NDI yet received official permission for the audit of the country's first democratic elections after the fall of Hosni Mubarak.
• Speaking outside the courtroom, defense attorney Dr. Rafat Osman said the verdict was rushed and did not follow due process. "They did not follow the procedures and considerations appropriate Egyptian law," he said. Defendants will appeal their sentences confirmed.

arrests in December 2011 soured relations between the governments of Egypt and America, and NGO staff pictures appear in court in an iron cage, attracted criticism from Western governments groups and civil society.

There was no immediate comment from Washington's decision Tuesday, but is likely to be met with dismay by the Obama administration.

Find best price for : --Egypt----Mohamed----Osman----Rafat----Cairo----LaHood--