CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Charges have been dropped against two men reportedly involved in a flag-burning protest during the Republican National Convention in July 2016.

Dominique D. Knox, 24, and Joseph E. Scogin, 38, had pleaded not guilty to striking two officers after another protester set fire to an American flag on July 20, 2016, in downtown Cleveland.

On Wednesday, lawyers for the defendants said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Mike O'Malley had dropped charges of assault, obstructing official business and resisting arrest against the suspects.

"This was a tremendous victory for free speech," Terry Gilbert, one of the lawyers representing Knox and Scogin, said in a statement.

It is unclear early Thursday morning why O'Malley dropped the charges.

Knox and Scogin were among the 18 people arrested after Gregory Lee "Joey" Johnson set fire to an American flag on Prospect Avenue at East 4th Street. Firefighters rushed to put out the flames and police descended on Johnson and the other protesters.

Two officers suffered minor injuries in the incident, police said.

Charges against Johnson were dismissed in January. A charge was also dropped against Lisa Castanon, 28, of San Francisco, who helped Johnson light the flag on fire.

Lawyers for the RNC protesters say 12 people still face aggravated disorderly conduct and obstruction charges in Cleveland Municipal Court.

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