Egyptian policeman sentenced to 10 years for killing activist

An Egyptian criminal court on Monday sentenced a policeman to 10 years in prison for killing an activist during a march marking the fourth anniversary of a 2011 uprising, judicial sources told Reuters.

First Lieutenant Yaseen Hatem was charged in March 2015 with action that "led to the death" of Shaimaa Sabbagh, a lighter charge than murder, but still a rare action against a member of the security forces.

Sabbagh was killed when Hatem fired birdshot to disperse a march organised in the capital's centre in January 2015 to commemorate the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

A previous court had initially sentenced Hatem to 15 years, but the ruling was overturned by the Cassation Court which ordered a retrial of the case.

Sabbagh's death had sparked outrage from Egyptians who had hoped the 2011 revolt would bring an end to police violence.