EGYPT: Nasser's Son Beats the Rap

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The charges against the 20 defendants included murder, attempted murder and undermining Egypt's relations with the U.S. and Israel. The crime: a series of bloody attacks against American and Israeli diplomats between 1984 and 1987. The toll: two Israelis dead, six Israelis and two Americans injured. But the case against the terrorist group known as Egypt's Revolution was exceptional for yet another reason: among the 11 defendants facing the death penalty was Khaled Abdel Nasser, 41, eldest son of former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Khaled, an engineer, was accused of financing the group and supplying it with weapons.

Last week the Egyptian Supreme State Security Court acquitted Khaled and four others. Six received suspended sentences. Nine, including the group's alleged leader, Mahmoud Noureddin Soleiman, drew sentences ranging from three years to life. President Hosni Mubarak, who will review the verdict, is expected to uphold it. Analysts say it was fair, since the government's case against Khaled was based on hearsay and the confessions of other defendants.