CAIRO, Feb 1 (Aswat Masriya) An Egyptian misdemeanor court sentenced 32 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood to two years in jail and fined them 50,000 Egyptian pounds each on Saturday for violating the new protest law and threatening national peace.

The defendants were also accused of belonging to a terrorist organization, blocking the road and protesting without permit.

The hearing took place under heavy security on Saturday where the court insisted that the defendant’s demonstration was not peaceful and accused them of using violence against security forces and vandalizing public and private property.

A protest law passed at the end of last year obliges Egyptians to request a permit from the authorities prior to gathering.