An Egyptian court has acquitted three former ministers from ex-President Hosni Mubarak's administration of corruption charges.

The court, on Tuesday, cleared the former ministers of information and finance of charges of squandering public funds.

In a separate ruling by the same court, the former housing minister and the chairman of a development project were found innocent of illegal profiteering.

The rulings in Cairo mark the first time former senior officials have been exonerated since an anti-government uprising led to Mr. Mubarak's resignation in February. Allegations of government corruption helped fuel the unrest that led to his departure.

Meanwhile, Egypt's former trade minister on Tuesday received a five year prison sentence for a corruption conviction. He was sentenced in absentia.

On Monday, violence erupted at a Cairo courthouse after a judge ordered the release of a group of policemen charged with killing protesters during the anti-government uprising.

Hundreds of Egyptians attacked the courthouse and later blocked a highway.

The court released seven policemen on bail and postponed their trials until mid-September. Three other police officers are being tried in absentia.