DHAKA: A court in Egypt has sentenced one of the country’s most prominent pro-democracy activists, Alaa Abdul Fattah, to 15 years in jail for illegal protest and attacking a police officer.

Abdul Fattah’s family said the verdict was issued in absentia as he was refused entry into the court, reports the BBC.

Abdul Fattah played a key role in the 2011 revolt against Hosni Mubarak.

The sentence comes three days after ex-army chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi took office as president.

The authorities have cracked down harshly on Islamists and secular activists since former president Mohammed Mursi was removed by the military in July 2013.

Hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested.

BDST: 1718 HRS, JUNE 11, 2014