(VOVworld) - An Egyptian court on Thursday sentenced in absentia 34 supporters of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi to 17 years in jail for unauthorized protests.

Egypt's ousted  President Mohamed Morsi (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The court in the southern city of Fayoum also sentenced three others to three years in prison on charges of holding illegal demonstrations, rioting and using force against security personnel. The case is linked to violent events that took place in January of this year. Morsi supporters held near-daily protests after his ousting last summer, calling for his reinstatement and defying authorities. A disputed protest law was passed in November which banned all demonstrations not pre-approved by authorities, with hefty prison terms and fines for violators.