FAYOUM, Sept 18 (Aswat Masriya) - An Egyptian criminal court sentenced on Thursday 34 "Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood" in absentia to 17 years in prison on charges of violating the protest law and disrupting the constitutional referendum. 

The court also sentenced  two others to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fine of 100 thousand Egyptian pounds per each on the same charges.

The incident dates back to January 14 and 15 when tens of supporters of the outlawed Brotherhood protested in Fayoum during the referendum on Egypt's constitution

Security forces arrested 36 of the protesters for demonstrating without a permit, releasing 34 of them after paying a financial bail and exceeding the preventive detention duration by five months. Only two were still held in prison. 

Egypt has declared the Brotherhood a terrorist movement last December in response to a wave of violence that followed the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July. The Brotherhood says it is a peaceful group.

Hundreds of members of the Brotherhood and their leaders are currently standing trial. Some of them, including their leader Mohamed Badie, were sentenced to life in prison on charges of inciting violence and collaborating with foreign entities.