The defendants, who were also fined 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($7,200) each, chanted “down with military rule” when their verdict was announced.

Confrontations between police forces and protesters erupted earlier this month as Ahmed Maher, the founder of April 6, handed himself in to the authorities for protests by the Shura Council against the new protest law.

The defendants were accused of attacking a Central Security conscript by the Abdeen Court and protesting without permit.

A law passed recently obliges Egyptians to inform the authorities of their intention to protest three days prior to their demonstration to obtain a permit.