Kassem was convicted of slander, defamation and verbally assaulting a police officer according to Egyptian rights group.

Saturday’s verdict is subject to an appeal before a higher court. The case drew condemnation from rights groups and renewed global attention to Egypt’s poor human rights record.

Hisham Kassem, who is a leading official with the Free Current, a coalition of mostly liberal parties, was convicted of slander, defamation and verbally assaulting a police officer, according to Hossam Bahgat, head of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, which represents Kassem before the court.

Bahgat said the court in Cairo also fined Kassem 20,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $647).

Kassem, who for decades ran a series of news outlets that helped keep alive pockets of independent, free press in the country, was arrested in August after persecutors questioned him on accusations levelled against him by Kamal Abu Eita, a former labour minister.

Initially, persecutors ordered Kassem’s release on the condition that he pay bail of 5,000 Egyptian pounds ($161). But Kassem refused to pay and was taken to a police station in Cairo, where he allegedly verbally assaulted police officers.

Kassem and his lawyers rejected the accusations.

London-based Amnesty International on Thursday called on Egypt’s authorities to “immediately release” Kassem, saying he had been “arbitrarily detained”.

“The prosecution of Hisham Kassem for simply posting critical messages online is a signal that the Egyptian authorities’ relentless campaign to silence peaceful critics and punish dissent… is continuing in full force,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty’s research and advocacy director in the region.

Ongoing crackdown

Egypt has waged a widescale crackdown on dissent over the past decade, jailing thousands of people. Most of those imprisoned are supporters of former President Mohammed Morsi. However, the crackdown has also targeted prominent secular activists.

Egypt’s human rights record came under increasing international scrutiny ahead of the presidential election set for February. The government has been trying to whitewash its image, but the arrests of Kassem and other activists proved to be a blow to the 18-month effort.

In recent months, Egypt has allowed some criticism of its policies amid a daunting economic crisis and growing calls for political reform ahead of the 2024 presidential elections.

The government launched a forum for dialogue with opposition parties and rights activists to enhance its human rights record and provide recommendations to the government on how to address its multiple crises.

The government also pardoned many high-profile detainees over the past months. Chief among them is Patrick Zaki, a leading human rights defender, and Ahmed Douma, one of the Egyptian activists behind the 2011 antigovernment uprising that was part of the Arab Spring.

The United States recently approved most military assistance to Egypt despite persistent concern over human rights, the US Department of State said, stressing Cairo had been helpful in several hotspots.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Friday said the move “disregards the Egyptian government’s ongoing repressive policies”.

“US officials are creating a false choice between national security and human rights,” said Nicole Widdersheim, HRW’s deputy Washington director.