Description:

Egypt\'s public prosecutor has ordered the trial of three political activists on charges of protesting without permission and an alleged assault on police. Among those to stand trial is Ahmed Maher, the founder of the April 6 movement. The movement helped ignite the popular uprising in 2011 that led to the ouster of former dictator Hosni Mubarak. Still, no date has been fixed for the trial. But this is the first case of activists being charged under the provisions of a new, controversial protest law. The Interim President, Adly Mansour signed the Law in November. It bans gatherings of more than 10 people without prior permit. Critics have described the move as an attempt to stifle the right to public protest.