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Egypt appeal court orders pro-Morsi protest women freed | |
(35 minutes later) | |
An appeals court in Egypt has ordered the release of 21 women, including seven juveniles, who were jailed last month over a protest in support of ousted President Mohammed Morsi. | |
The minors were placed on a three-month-long probation. The appeals court also reduced 11-year sentences given to 14 women to a suspended year-long term. | |
They were found guilty of belonging to a terrorist group, obstructing traffic, sabotage and using force last month. | |
Rights groups criticised the verdict. | Rights groups criticised the verdict. |
One campaigner described it as madness. | 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. |