Egyptian Women’s Lawyer Arrested

Egyptian police on Monday arrested Ahmed El-Hamrawy, the lawyer who defended 21 women and girls charged at a demonstration for ousted President Mohamed Morsi. El-Hamrawy and five others were arrested for “incitement of violence,” but his case sets a troubling legal precedent. “This means that any lawyer who comes close to the case will be arrested,” said lawyer Mahmoud Farouq. Fourteen of the women were sentenced on Wednesday to 11 years in prison, and the seven minors were sentenced to juvenile detention. They were convicted of gathering, thuggery, and weapons possession, although many have criticized the verdict for being politically motivated—and coming just as the government launched a new crackdown on protests.