CAIRO, Jun 24 (Aswat Masriya) - A misdemeanour court acquitted on Wednesday Islamic show host Islam al-Beheiry of the charge of being in contempt of religion.

The plaintiff had sued Beheiry and the owner of the satellite channel where his show is broadcast, accusing them of insulting religion.

Beheiry stirred controversy with his show especially after Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's foremost religious institution. accused him of broadcasting ideas that affect "the fundamentals of religion." 

Yet, Beheiry, who describes himself as an Islamic researcher, said that he is contributing towards renewing religious discourse and "preventing Islamic heritage from being a reason for extremism".   

The show host was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison last month for the same charge.

Beheiry faces a third trial for the same charge, filed before the Administrative Court by the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar.

Being in contempt of religion is punishable by between six months and five years in prison and a fine worth 500 to 1,000 Egyptian pounds.

Citing two articles in Egyptian law, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said in January 2014, that "simply...anyone could be presented to court" for publishing an article, images or any material on any of the divine religions if the opinion expressed is different from that of the ruling faction.    

The legal organisation added that there is no "objective criterion to define" when the published material is considered in contempt and when it is considered just an opinion.