by early 1953, reports began circulating which indicated that mehanna was the ringleader in an attempted coup. as a result of this, mehanna was accused of counterrevolutionary conspiracy and was sentenced to life imprisonment on 30 march 1953. however, he was released in 1956 and then put under house arrest. he was re-arrested in 1965, only to be released once again in 1967. he retired completely from politics after that, and died on 3 january 1996.