More than two dozen female defendants facing charges for supporting demonstrations in support of ousted President Mohamed Morsi received stiff prison terms from judges in Cairo on Wednesday. Media reports describe the women as ranging from 15 years of age and divided between Islamist and secular in belief. Observers were shocked at the severity of the sentences: where 4-months was expected to be the average sentence, the actual prison terms ranged from 11 to 15 years. The sentencing is seen as part of the interim government’s campaign against Morsi and his followers, including the Muslim Brotherhood. Critics complain that the new regime, appointed by the military that overthrew Morsi despite his having been elected democratically, is contemptuous of civil rights as ousted President Hosni Mubarak was. Many Egyptians are angry over a new law passed last week that requires permission by the police for gatherings of 10 or more people.
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