For daring to announce his plans to contests for presidency in 2018, a colonel in Egypt has been sentenced to 6 years in prison by a military court.

The now convicted Colonel; Ahmed Konsowa received this punishment after being charged for “stating political opinions contrary to the requirements of military order”.

Mr. Konsowa had in November announced through Facebook that he has intentions of running for the country`s Presidency.

He was also accused for appearing on Facebook in a military uniform which is contrary to Egypt`s military laws.

In his videos, and without mentioning President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi by name, Konsowa criticised Egypt’s policies in education, health and the economy.

His lawyer, Heikal has said Konsowa followed Sisi’s example in announcing his candidacy. Sisi was in uniform when he did so, before later resigning as defence minister.

Sisi was elected president in 2014, a year after leading the military’s ouster of his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi amid mass protests against his year-long rule.