An Egyptian appeals court on Sunday reduced the jail sentences for 23 pro-democracy activists found guilty of taking part in an unlicensed protest from three years to two.

An Egyptian appeals court on Sunday reduced the jail sentences for 23 pro-democracy activists found guilty of taking part in an unlicensed protest from three years to two, their lawyers said.

The defendants were accused of holding an illegal protest on June 21 calling for the release of detainees and the annulment of a law that bans all but police-sanctioned demonstrations.

They were also accused of vandalism during the rally near the presidential palace in Cairo and sentenced in October to three years behind bars.

The appeals court cut their sentences to two years in jail on Sunday, said defense lawyer Ragia Omran.

The activists each have to pay a fine of 10,000 Egyptian pounds ($1,400, 1,100 euros) when released and will be placed under police supervision for two years, another defense lawyer, Khalid Ali, said.

The rights activists include Yara Sallam and Sanaa Seif, described by Amnesty International as "prisoners of conscience."

Sunday's sentence can still be appealed at the Court of Cassation, the country's highest tribunal.