Three Al-Jazeera journalists, Peter Greste (correspondent, Australian), bureau chief Mohamed Fahmy (Canadian/Egyptian) have been sentenced to 7 years in prison each over allegations of false reporting and association with the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. While a 3rd journalist, Baher Mohamed (producer) was given 10 years for same charges and also for being in possession of ammunition.
The three journalists were arrested in December 2013 after security forces raided their work suite office in Cairo on charges of ‘spreading false news’ and holding meetings with Muslim Brotherhood.
The journalists had reported on how Egyptian security agencies killed hundreds of peaceful protesters in sit-ins in Cairo. This was when Egyptians took to the streets to protest the coup by the army that removed former Egyptian president, Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood from power in July 2013 and demanding for his reinstatement. Continue…
The arrest of the three journalist last year raised international concerns with powerful world leaders including the UN Secretary General, Ban kin Moon, calling for their release by the Egyptian govt. But instead of releasing them, they’ve been found guilty and sentenced.
Six other Al-Jazeera journalists – Alaa Bayoumi, Anas Abdel-Wahab Khalawi Hasan, Khaleel Aly Khaleel Bahnasy, Mohamed Fawzi, Dominic Kane, and Sue Turton were tried in absentia and handed 10 years in prison verdicts.