An Egyptian court on Wednesday, April 17, sentenced Prime Minister Hisham Qandil to a jail term of one year in absentia for failing to implement a 2011 ruling, sources said, adding the verdict was merely symbolic.

According to AFP, Cairo misdemeanors court sentenced Qandil for failing to implement a ruling by an administrative court ordering the nationalization of a textile factory, the judicial sources said.

Qandil, who heads Islamist President Mohamed Mursi's government, was also fined 2,000 Egyptian pounds (about $290) and was ordered to be removed from his post.

According to judicial sources, sentences in absentia against serving prime ministers and officials are common and not implemented. The officials are only made to pay the fine.