Egypt sentences 7 to life for Tahrir sexual assaults

An Egyptian court has sentenced seven men to life in prison for sexual assaults on women during a number of public rallies in Cairo’s iconic Tahrir Square.

They are the first such heavy sentences against perpetrators of sexual violence following the government’s decision to toughen penalties. Sexual violence has been on the rise in Egypt, particularly during public gatherings in the past three years.

The charges stemmed from four different incidents of sexual assault, including one during celebrations of the inauguration of President Abdel-Fattah Al Sisi in June.

In a nationally televised session on Wednesday, the judge sentenced the seven men to life in prison. Three of them received multiple life sentences for taking part in different assaults. Another two men each received two 20-year sentences.