Egyptian activist acquitted of illegal protest

Cairo: An appeals court in the Egyptian city of Alexandria has acquitted a prominent activist and rights lawyer of charges of taking part in an illegal demonstration.

Mahienour Al Masry was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison last month over participating last year in a protest against the government’s transfer of two strategic Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.

The 2016 deal between Saudi Arabia and Egypt sparked rare protests in Egypt.

Al Masry, 31, is widely known for her activism in labour movements, and on behalf of Syrian and Palestinian refugees living in Egypt. She has been outspoken on the rights of detainees and political prisoners.