Clashes in Cairo's downtown between police forces and hundreds of deposed president Mohamed Morsi supporters in July (Photo: Mai Shaheen)
North Cairo criminal court has acquitted 61 supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi and Al Jazeera photographer Mohamed Badr.
The defendants were arrested in mid-July, almost two weeks after Morsi's ouster, when clashes erupted in downtown Cairo between police and protesters demanding the elected president's reinstatement.
They were put on trial for inciting murder, thuggery, possessing unlicensed weapons, vandalising public facilities, blocking roads and using force against the security forces.
Hundreds of Brotherhood leaders, members and sympathisers have been detained since Morsi's removal on 3 July.
Last Wednesday, 20 Al Jazeera journalists – four foreigners and 16 Egyptians – appeared in court on charges of belonging to a terrorist organisation, harming national unity and social peace, and using terrorism as a means to their goals.
Al Jazeera Mubashir Misr, banned by a court order but still broadcasting from Qatar and available to view in Egypt, has been accused by the authorities and local media of biased coverage in favour of the Brotherhood.
Short link: