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Egypt appeal court orders pro-Morsi protest women freed | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. Their supporters in the courtroom chanted, "God is great", as the verdicts were announced. | |
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. |
The father of a 15-year-old girl told the BBC he would take legal action to have the conviction quashed as his daughter and her mother were innocent passers-by. | |
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 sentence was longer than that given to some convicted killers, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo. | |
The verdict was condemned by human rights campaigners in Egypt as blatantly political, our correspondent says. | |
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. |