CAIRO (AFP) - An Egyptian opposition youth activist was on Monday sentenced to six months in prison for insulting President Mohamed Morsi, an Agence France-Presse (AFP) correspondent reported.

Ahmed Duma, who was also ordered to pay a fine of 200 Egyptian pounds (S$36), could be released on bail of 5,000 Egyptian pounds pending a decision by an appeals court.

Dozens of Duma supporters gathered outside the courthouse during the hearing, chanting slogans against the president and the powerful Muslim Brotherhood from which he came, an AFP journalist said.

Morsi, elected in June last year, has been accused of suppressing or seeking to suppress opponents and journalists who criticise him by accusing them of defamation.

But the presidency has denied being behind such complaints, instead citing the independence of the judiciary.