CAIRO, (AP) – An Egyptian appeals court has convicted the owner of a ferry that sank three years ago, killing more than 1,000 people, of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced him to seven years in prison.
Wednesday’s ruling overturns an earlier acquittal of Mamdouh Ismail. His acquittal outraged many Egyptians who believed the wealthy businessman and former lawmaker was being protected by his political connections. Ismail is believed to be in Europe and was sentenced in absentia.
A court official says two other defendants who fled the country received three years in prison in absentia, overturning earlier acquittals. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press.
The ferry, Al-Salam Boccaccio 98, sank in 2006 in the Red Sea.
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