An Islamic preacher known for his hate speeches against Coptic Christians was sentenced to 11 years in prison for tearing up and burning a Bible outside the U.S. Embassy during a protest against an anti-Islam film last year.

An Egyptian court in Cairo sentenced Ahmed Abdullah on Sunday for insulting religion and burning a Bible. He was also fined 3,000 Egyptian pounds, or $430.

Abdullah’s son was sentenced to eight years in prison and fined 2,000 Egyptian pounds, or $286 for his role in the burning.

Abdullah publicly burned a copy of the Bible as part of a protest against the anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims," on Sept. 11, 2012. The film was produced in the United States by an Egyptian-born Coptic Christian, and set off anti-American protests across the Muslim world. Abdullah also announced that he planned to send his grandson to urinate on the Bible.

The ruling came as a surprise to many, because Egyptian courts have been known for prosecuting and sentencing Christians on false charges of blasphemy.

See more at The Christian Post