Before a prominent Egyptian opposition figure can face voters at the ballot box, he must face a trial in the country's courts. On Jan. 3, a misdemeanor court in Cairo heard testimony in the appeal trial of rights lawyer and presidential hopeful Khaled Ali but delayed making a decision until March 7. In September 2017, Ali was convicted of making an inappropriate hand gesture during anti-government demonstrations against the transfer of the Tiran and Sanafir Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. The transfer incited anger and unrest among Egyptians, many of whom view it as a violation of their country's sovereignty. Ali and his team of lawyers contend that the conviction is unconstitutional and are appealing it, but he will face a three-month prison sentence and will not be able to run in the upcoming presidential election if it is upheld.