Egyptian court criticise PM Qandil with suspended prison sentence

The court also ruled that Hisham Qandil should be dismissed from his role as prime minister for failing to renationalise Tanta Flax and Oil CompanyThe Dokki Misdemeanor Court on Wednesday gave Prime Minister Hisham Qandil a suspended sentence of one year in prison with a LE2,000 bail, on charges of abstaining from implementing a verdict by the Administrative Court that ordered the renationalisation of the Tanta Flax and Oil Company, and rendered invalid the selling of the company to Saudi businessman Abdullah Al-Kaaki.The company was privatised in 2005 for a sum that was less than its total value, forcing hundreds of workers into retirement, and depriving some workers of annual bonuses that they received when the factory was under state ownership.The lawsuit against Qandil was brought by a number of the company’s workers.Wednesday’s court verdict also ordered the sacking of Qandil from his post as prime minister.Qandil was appointed in August by President Mohamed Morsi.