An Egyptian court on Wednesday sentenced 120 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood to three years in jail each in relation to rioting charges from last October, a judicial source told Ahram Online.

At least 53 people were killed during protests in favour of ousted president Mohamed Morsi on 6 October last year, the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. Those convicted face charges including illegal assembly, violence and rioting.

Six people were acquitted in the case.

Egyptian authorities have waged a sustained crackdown on Islamist supporters of Morsi since his removal last summer amid massive street protests against his single year in power.

Hundreds of Islamists have been killed in the clampdown and thousands others thrown behind bars.

Islamist militants have protested by stepping up their attacks against police and army troops, killing 500, including some civilians.