Egyptian women protesters freed

Egyptian authorities have released 21 women and girls convicted for staging a street protest after an appeal court reduced their harsh penalties, including prison terms of 11 years, to suspended sentences.

 The initial verdict handed down late last month caused an international and domestic outcry.

"This is God-given," Ola Alaa, an 18-year-old medical student who was initially sentenced to 11 years, told the Associated Press news agency. "I think (the authorities) wanted to calm things down," she said from her home in the coastal city of Alexandria on Saturday.

 "I am very proud of her," Ola's father said.

The 21 defendants, who included seven teenagers, were held in custody for over a month.

The 14 women, mostly around the age of 20, were originally sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted in connection to an October 31 protest in support of ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

 The minors were ordered held until they turned 18, when their cases would have been re-evaluated. The group faced charges including "thuggery" and the use of weapons, the latter for allegedly having thrown rocks.

Security forces have tried to crush the Muslim Brotherhood since the army ousted Morsi, Egypt's first freely elected leader, on July 3.

 His supporters have staged frequent protests calling for his reinstatement.

The army-backed authorities accuse the Brotherhood of violence and terrorism. It denies the charges.

Hundreds of Morsi supporters have been killed and thousands arrested, while Morsi and other Brotherhood leaders are on trial for inciting violence.