Egyptian court sentences 20 students from Islamist university for rioting during 2013 rally
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A man tries to extinguish burning tires set on fire during clashes between the security forces and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood outside Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, May 23, 2014. Two protesters were killed in clashes in Egypt between Islamist demonstrators and their opponents after midday prayers Friday, the final day of campaigning ahead of next week's presidential election, authorities said. (AP Photo/Ahmed Taranh) (The Associated Press)
An Egyptian official says a Cairo court has convicted 20 students from an Islamist university for rioting during a protest last year in support of ousted President Mohammed Morsi, also an Islamist.
The official says 19 of the students — all from Cairo's Al-Azhar University — were sentenced to five years in prison each. Another defendant got three years.
The official says the 19 were also fined $2,860 each for property damages. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to talk to media.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Al-Azhar students have been rallying almost daily to denounce the military's ouster of Morsi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood group, and the current military-backed authorities in Egypt.
Several students have been killed during the protests, which often descend into clashes with security forces.