Update: December 22 court date for Douma and Maher

Abdeen Court sets a new trial date of December 22 in the case of two prominent activists, accused of breaking Egypt's controversial protest law.

The leader of the April 6 Youth Movement, Ahmed Maher, and activist Ahmed Douma face charges of assaulting police forces and taking part in riots in front of Abdeen Court on November 30.

The alleged offenses occurred as Maher was turning himself in to face charges from another case.

The new charges faced by Maher, in connection with the Abdeen Court protest, include terrorizing citizens, calling for a protest in violation of the law, thuggery and violating public peace.

The case is one of several brought by the public prosecutor against protesters and activists after the approval of the new protest law in November. The law prohibits political assembly without approval from the state.

The first protest to defy the new law was held outside the Shura Council in late November. No prior approval had been received from authorities. Around 60 protesters were arrested, all but one of whom have since been released.

Activist Alaa Abd El Fatah was also arrested, along with Maher, for calling for the protest. He remains detained, pending investigations.

Prior to the Abdeen Court incident, a warrant for the arrest of Maher was issued on charges that he had violated the new protest law and assaulted an officer during the late-November Shura Council protest.

As Maher went to turn himself in, clashes erupted between police and a solidarity protest taking place outside the court. Arrest warrants were then issued for Maher, Douma and Adel.

Douma was arrested earlier this month, while a third defendant, Mohamed Adel, remains at large.