The appeal hearing of three prominent secular activists has been adjourned until 10 March, judicial sources said on Monday.

April 6 Youth Movement founder Ahmed Maher, leading member Mohamed Adel and longtime activist Ahmed Douma were sentenced in December to three years in jail and fined LE50,000 each for organising illegal protests and assaulting police officers in November.

They are leading symbols of the popular revolt that deposed president Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

Their appeal has been delayed several times over the past few months.

Their conviction fuelled fears among activists and human rights organisations of a broadening crackdown on dissent by the country's interim authorities.