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Egypt court acquits 22 defendants accused of illegally protesting islands deal

Xinhua, June 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

An Egyptian court on Wednesday acquitted 22 defendants charged with illegally protesting in April against a government decision to transfer two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, state-run Ahram Online reported.

Wednesday's verdict came one day after Egypt's Administrative Court nullified a deal signed between Cairo and Riyadh in April on maritime border demarcation that placed the two Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir into the Saudi waters.

The deal stirred controversy in Egypt and led to widespread protests on April 15 and 25.

None of the 22 defendants exonerated were in detention before Wednesday's verdict; all had been already released, according to the report.

It was the last group of defendants charged in the case. Others had been either found not guilty or released after paying hefty fines.

An Egyptian anti-protest law stipulates obtaining police permits to stage rallies; otherwise protesters could be fined or jailed. Endit