Close Mubarak aide is jailed for corruption

Sunday's ruling also fined Zakaria Azmi 36.3 million pounds ($6 million). 

Azmi was Mubarak's chief of staff and the former president was rarely seen in public without him standing by his side. 

The verdict comes a week before Mubarak himself is due to be sentenced after a trial in which he faced charges of complicity in the killing of protesters during the popular uprising that toppled his regime last year.

Mubarak also faced corruption charges.