Egyptian security forces fired teargas bombs on Thursday afternoon in Alexandria to disperse a student's protest set in support of 21 women who were sentenced for 11 years in prison on charges of obstructing traffic during an earlier protest.

CEOAFRICA news gathered that a great number of students withdrew membership from the student union of Alexandria University to voice objection to the verdict issued against the women.

Clashes erupted between the security forces and the students shortly after they gathered to demonstrate near a university complex in Egypt's second city.

The women, aged 15 to 25, were arrested earlier in November for blocking the Corniche Road while participating in a demonstration to back deposed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi.

The 21 defendants were charged with disrupting traffic and vandalizing public property during their protest.

The court ruled that the minors be detained at a juveniles youth facility.