CAIRO - Egypt's State Minister for Antiquities Zahi Hawass on Sunday was sentenced to one year in jail, but it will be suspended until the appeal ruling, official MENA news agency reported.

Related readings:  Egypt court dissolves former ruling party  Egypt continues inquest on Mubarak's sons  Egypt to try former PM, finance minister

The decision came after Hawass refused to abide by a court ruling over a land dispute between a civilian and the Supreme Council of Antiquities where he was posted as chairman.

Misdemeanor court decided to sack Hawass from his position as state minister for antiquities and ordered him to pay a fine of 10, 000 Egyptian pounds ($1,678).

Hawass became the secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities in 2002. He was appointed Minister of Antiquities on January 31, 2011 in Ahmed Mohamed Shafik's government during the 18-day protests in Egypt, which forced former President Hosni Mubarak to step down.