The court in Egypt sentenced the head of the journalists’ union Yehia Qalash and two union members to two years in prison for harboring journalists wanted by the law enforcement and spreading false news, reports DW.

The criminal case was initiated in May after a police raid on the syndicate headquarters to arrest two opposition journalists, who had taken refuge there.  The arrests of opposition journalists sparked protests. The opposition demanded resignation of the interior minister. The interior ministry on its side denied any police raid had occurred but confirmed the arrest of two journalists, who were wanted on criminal charges.