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WORLD BRIEFING / EGYPT

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Times Wire Reports

The wealthy owner of a ferry that sank three years ago in the Red Sea, killing more than 1,000 people, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and negligence and sentenced to seven years in prison.

Hundreds of victims’ family members packing the courtroom in the Red Sea port city of Hurghada responded to the verdict with applause and shouts of “long live justice.” Others protested what they said was an overly light sentence for Mamdouh Ismail.

The ruling overturned an acquittal in July that sparked outrage from many in Egypt, who believed the businessman and former lawmaker was being protected by his political connections. Ismail fled the country shortly after being ordered to stand trial and was tried in absentia.

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