DHAKA: An Egyptian appeals court on Monday upheld three-year prison sentences for three prominent activists charged with violating a controversial law restricting protests.

The three, including the founder of the April 6 movement Ahmed Maher, rose to prominence in the 2011 uprising that toppled veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak.

The interim government installed after the army overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Mursi in July jailed the activists for violating a law it had passed banning all but police-sanctioned protests.

Maher, Mohamed Adel and Ahmed Douma were charged with organising an unauthorised and violent protest in November, days after the passage of the law, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2100 HRS, APR 07, 2014