Cairo: An Egyptian appeals court on Sunday set July 22 for the retrial of leading pro-democracy campaigner Alaa Abdul Fattah and 24 activists, judicial sources said.
Earlier this month, a lower court sentenced Abdul Fattah and co-defendants to 15 years in prison each on charges of holding a protest without permission, attacking policemen and blocking roads.
The June 11 verdict was announced before the defendants could appear in the courtroom as they were out of police custody on bail.
The case has brought the military-backed authorities under criticism from rights groups.
Abdul Fattah was a prominent participant in a 2011 uprising that forced long-time president Hosni Mubarak out of power.
Last November, Abdul Fattah and dozens of activists demonstrated outside the parliament in Cairo to protest a controversial law that bans street rallies without police’s permission.
Rights groups and the opposition have slammed the law as aimed at muzzling political dissent. The government says it is necessary to regulate street protests and preventing them from turning violent.
On Sunday, another Cairo court started the trial of 24 activists, including Abdul Fattah’s sister, who were arrested a week ago during a rally against the law near the presidential palace.
The defendants, including seven women, are charged with staging an illegal protest, instigating riots, blocking roads and assaulting police.
Shortly after showing up for the trial, they chanted slogans against authorities.
“Down with the military rule! Demonstration is our right and No to your law!” shouted the accused inside an enmeshed iron cage at a makeshift courtroom in southern Cairo.
Several secular pro-democracy advocates have been arrested in Egypt since July last year when the army toppled Islamist president Mohammad Mursi, a crackdown that has raised concerns about the new rulers’ commitment to freedoms.
