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Egypt appeals court frees pro-Morsi protest girls | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A court in Egypt has ordered the release of seven girls who were jailed last month over a protest in support of ousted President Mohammed Morsi. | |
The appeals court also reduced 11-year sentences given to 14 women in the group to a suspended year-long term. | |
They were found guilty of multiple charges, including belonging to a terrorist group, obstructing traffic, sabotage and using force at a protest in the city of Alexandria last month. | They were found guilty of multiple charges, including belonging to a terrorist group, obstructing traffic, sabotage and using force at a protest in the city of Alexandria last month. |
Rights groups criticised the verdict. | |
One campaigner described it as madness. | |
The 14 women appeared inside the special cage in the Alexandria courtroom dressed in prison-issue white and holding red roses. | The 14 women appeared inside the special cage in the Alexandria courtroom dressed in prison-issue white and holding red roses. |
They had written the word "freedom" on their palms. | They had written the word "freedom" on their palms. |
There was a heavy police presence outside the court complex. | There was a heavy police presence outside the court complex. |
Hefty sentences | Hefty sentences |
The women and girls had taken part in an early morning demonstration in support of Mr Morsi. | The women and girls had taken part in an early morning demonstration in support of Mr Morsi. |
Relatives say it was the first protest by the group - called the 7am Movement - and that it was peaceful. | Relatives say it was the first protest by the group - called the 7am Movement - and that it was peaceful. |
One family told the BBC their 15-year-old daughter was only passing by on her way to school. | One family told the BBC their 15-year-old daughter was only passing by on her way to school. |
The women had expected to be sentenced to a month in jail at most at their trial last month. | The women had expected to be sentenced to a month in jail at most at their trial last month. |
Their jail terms were longer than some for police convicted of killing or seriously injuring civilians. | Their jail terms were longer than some for police convicted of killing or seriously injuring civilians. |
Hundreds of people have also been killed in clashes since July when Mr Morsi's removal sparked widespread protests. | Hundreds of people have also been killed in clashes since July when Mr Morsi's removal sparked widespread protests. |