Egyptian former finance minister Mohieddin el-Gharib was found guilty of corruption on Thursday and jailed for eight years with hard labour.
The Cairo High State Security Court found Gharib guilty of profiteering and abusing public funds while in office by helping companies import goods without paying customs duties.
Former customs chief Ali Taha, tried alongside Gharib, was convicted of an additional bribery charge and jailed for 11 years with hard labour.
According to Reuters, the court sentenced five other defendants to between one and three years in prison as accomplices. Two officials and a businessman were acquitted in the case.
Gharib and some of the other defendants were also ordered to pay fines amounting to 16.2 million Egyptian pounds ($3.5 million).
Gharib served as Egypt's finance minister from 1996 to 1999. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
