Egypt court convicts Mubarak associate over Israel gas deal

A Cairo court on Wednesday sentenced Hussein Salem, a close associate of ousted president Hosni Mubarak and co-defendant in a separate trial, to seven years in jail in for profiteering.

Salem, who fled to Spain after protesters revolted against Mubarak in January and was sentenced in absentia, was convicted along with his son Khaled and daughter Magida, who also fled the country, state news agency MENA reported.

Salem is a former partner in the East Mediterranean Gas Co, which was accused of selling natural gas to Israel at a low price.

The court also fined them $4 billion (2.9 billion euros) for making illicit gains from the supply of gas to Israel.

Salem faces similar charges over the gas deal with Mubarak, who is also being tried for ordering the killings of demonstrators during the protests that toppled him on February 11.

Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez told reporters on Monday that Madrid was ready to extradite Salem, who is under arrest, if a Spanish court agreed.