An Al-Jazeera photographer has been acquitted along with 61 opposition activists in the latest embarressing climbdown by the Egyptian military regime. Mohamed Badr, was arrested while covering opposition protests in July, just days after the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi. Badr's lawyer has now called for his release pending a court order.

Badr had been held since July accused of involvement in rioting in Ramses Square, Cairo, during protests against the army's removal of the former president, Mohamed Morsi, from power. Meanwhile, 61 opposition activists have also been accquited after going on trial for inciting murder, thuggery, possessing unlicensed weapons, vandalising public facilities, blocking roads and using force against the security forces. Hundreds of journalists and opposition activists have been detained since Morsi's removal on 3 July.

Last Wednesday, 20 Al-Jazeera journalists – four foreigners and 16 Egyptians – appeared in court on charges of belonging to a terrorist organisation, harming national unity and social peace, and using terrorism as a means to their goals. Award winning international correspondent Peter Greste and producers Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed have been held in custody for more than a month without charge.