A combination picture shows protesters shouting slogans before (L) and after pulling down an American flag in front of the U.S. embassy in Cairo September 11, 2012 (Photo: Reuters)
An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced 168 defendants to two years in jail for charges related to violence at the US embassy in Cairo in 2012, judicial sources said.
Clashes broke out at the embassy in September 2012 after demonstrators gathered to protest a short film produced in the US that reportedly mocked Prophet Mohamed.
Demonstrations took place in a number of Muslim countries including in Libya, where Islamist militants mounted an armed attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, killing ambassador Chris Stephens and three other Americans.
Dozens of protesters climbed over the walls of the embassy complex in central Cairo and replaced the US flag with a black flag bearing the Islamic declaration of faith.
Clashes between police and protesters continued for several days, leaving many injured.
The defendants were charged with rioting, thuggery, threatening violence, defying authorities, sabotage of the public and private properties, and assaulting employees on duty.
Short link: