Mike Coupe was convicted by a court in Giza for what it claimed was embezzlement after he allegedly tried to seize cheques linked to an Egyptian business Sainsbury’s invested in 16 years ago.
As the retailer’s chief executive and its most senior employee, the court held Mr Coupe responsible. News of the sentencing was first reported in The Times .
Mr Coupe was automatically convicted as he failed to attend court hearings, and could be arrested if he travels to Egypt.
Sainsbury’s claimed it was unaware of the hearings and denied all the allegations against him.