CAIRO, Apr 18 (Aswat Masriya) - Egypt's prosecution renewed the detention of 25 protesters for 15 days pending investigation for protesting against the maritime border demarcation agreement recently signed between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The protesters face accusations of protesting illegally and disrupting public peace and security.

They were arrested last Friday. Although their release was ordered on Saturday, the prosecution later decided against their release and ordered their detention for four days on Sunday, according to the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE). 

The protesters' defence lawyers appealed the detention renewal decision on Monday, AFTE said. 

On Friday, thousands of protesters gathered in front of the press syndicate under the slogan "Friday of the land" to protest against the agreement, which stipulates that two disputed Red Sea islands, Tiran and Sanafir, are part of Saudi territorial waters.

The islands are located at the mouth of the Gulf of al-Aqaba and are strategically significant as they both control maritime activity in the gulf. 

The agreement, which has yet to be ratified by the parliament, has provoked public ire in Egypt and has come under heavy scrutiny by many Egyptians who argue that the two islands are Egyptian and accuse the president of "selling Egypt".

Protesters ended their demonstration Friday evening and said they will resume protesting on Apr. 25, which coincides with Sinai Liberation Day.