Egypt: 15 years in prison for the suicide of a young girl harassed on the internet

The 17-year-old girl committed suicide after a naked photomontage of her was posted on the internet at the end of December 2021. (photo illustration) AP - Hassan Ammar

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

In Egypt, the Assize Court of Tanta in the Delta sentenced to 15 years in prison three young people found guilty of "electronic blackmail resulting in death" after the suicide of a young girl harassed on social networks.

Two other young people were sentenced to 5 years in prison as part of the same trial.

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With our correspondent in Cairo

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The judgment is unprecedented.

First, the “electronic blackmail” charge is new.

The penalty for causing suicide is also new.

A sentence that is intended to be exemplary in its heaviness: 15 incompressible years in prison.

The case dates back to the beginning of the year when social networks were moved by the suicide of a young girl in a village in the Delta.

According to the networks, the girl had refused to give herself to young people who took revenge by posting retouched photos of her on the web.

An unbearable dishonor in a conservative and macho society.

This outcry on the web caused a chain reaction which led to the opening of an investigation with means hitherto officially reserved for the fight against terrorism on the internet.

Six youths have been charged.

In March, a minor under the age of 16 was sentenced to five years in prison by the juvenile court.

All convicts can appeal.

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• Egypt

• Social networks

• Justice

• Internet