The head of a consumer complex has been sentenced to five years in prison and a fine of LE100,000 for hoarding subsidized sugar and pushing prices up by restricting sales. Dokki Misdemeanor Court passed sentence on Magdy M, the head of a consumer complex in Giza, on Tuesday. According to investigations, he was caught when a Supply Ministry inspector disguised as a customer asked to buy some sugar and was told there was none available. The inspector requested a police raid on the complex, during which 51 kg of subsidized sugar was found. The price rises are cause for concern among shoppers on low incomes, who have be struggling with steep consumer inflation in the past few years.

Source: Egypt Independent October 26, 2016 09:11 UTC