Cairo, March 31 (IANS): An Egyptian court Monday sentenced 33 supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi to six years in jail, media reported.

The Islamist defendants were accused of violent acts during clashes between the backers and opponents of Morsi in the coastal city of Alexandria last December. They were also accused of assaulting security forces, belonging to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, and joining protests without official approval, Xinhua reported citing local newspaper Ahram.

Last November, the military-installed interim government issued a protest law that banned gathering or demonstration without prior approval. In December, the authorities declared the Brotherhood a terrorist organization.

The court also ordered the defendants to pay a fine of 50,000 Egyptian pounds (around $7,173) each. The verdict can be appealed.

Since Morsi's removal by the army, his supporters have been holding continuous protests calling for his reinstatement.

On March 24, a criminal court in Upper Egypt sentenced 529 people to death over charges of assaulting police stations last year.