A misdemeanors court sentenced former parliament member Hamdi el Fakharany to four years in prison over charges of influence peddling and bribery.

Fakharany was charged with blackmailing and taking money from businessman Samuel Thabet Zaki in return for facilitating registration procedures of a piece of land in Minya governorate which the latter bought from the Nile Cotton Ginning Company.

Nile Cotton Ginning Company, privatized in 1997, was renationalized by court order after a lawsuit brought to court by Fakharany himself in 2011.

Fakharany, who is known in Egypt for his anti-corruption activities, asked the businessman to pay EGP five million and hand over a residential unit, according to his indictment.

The meeting between Fakharany and the businessman was recorded and presented as evidence during the investigations.

Sources: MENA