An Egyptian court Sunday sentenced a Hosni Mubarak-era Cabinet minister to three years in prison after convicting him of corruption. Businessman and former Tourism Minister Zohair Garanah is already serving a five-year jail term for allowing investors to illegally acquire state land. His first sentence was passed by a Cairo court on May 10. Under Egyptian law, he will serve the longer of the two sentences. Garanah's latest conviction followed the sentencing Thursday of steel magnate Ahmed Ezz to 10 years in prison after his conviction of corruption. Ezz was a powerful insider in Mubarak's now-dissolved ruling party and a close aide to Mubarak's younger son and one-time heir apparent Gamal. Former Trade Minister Rachid Mohammed Rachid, who is at large, was also sentenced Thursday to 15 years in the same case as Ezz's. Mubarak, Gamal and the former president's older son Alaa are on trial. Mubarak is charged with complicity in the killing of more than 800 protesters during the 18-day uprising that toppled his 29-year regime in February. In the same trial, Mubarak and his two sons have been charged with corruption. Mubarak's security chief Habib Al-Adly became the first of some two dozen detained regime leaders to be convicted. He was sentenced on May 5 to 12 years for money laundering and other corruption charges. Mubarak, Al-Adly and six top police officers are on trial for their part in the killing of the protesters. Egypt will start parliamentary elections on Nov. 21, Al Arabiya Television and the Al-Ahram newspaper reported Saturday, the country's first vote since a popular uprising toppled President Hosni Mubarak in February after 30 years of autocratic rule. Al-Ahram quoted Egypt's election commission head, Abdel Moez Ibrahim, as saying voting for the lower house, the People's Assembly, will be held in three stages starting on Nov. 21 and ending on Jan. 3. Voting for the upper house, the Shoura Council, will begin on Jan. 22, 2012 and finish on March 4. The state news agency MENA quoted a source at the commission as saying that the commission had recommended the January and November start dates to the ruling military council.
