Cairo, Nov 29 (Aswat Masriya) - Amnesty International called on Thursday for the unconditional and immediate release of female protesters who were convicted of inciting violence in Alexandria earlier this week.

Last Wednesday, the Sidi Gaber Misdemeanour Court in Alexandria sentenced 14 women who belong to the Muslim Brotherhood to 11 years in prison after they were convicted of taking part in cutting the Corniche during a protest earlier in November.

The court also sentenced 7 underage girls to a juvenile institution.

“It is a strong signal that there will be no limit to the authorities’ efforts to crush opposition and that no one is immune to their iron fist,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

“These women and girls should have never been arrested. They are now prisoners of conscience and must be released immediately and unconditionally,” she added.