Egyptian court sentences Al Jazeera journalists to 7-10 years for being journalists

Journalists from Al Jazeera listening to the verdict on Monday, from left, Peter Greste, Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Baher Mohamed [AFP]


Journalists from Al Jazeera listening to the verdict on Monday, from left, Peter Greste, Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Baher Mohamed [AFP]

A court in Egypt sentences two Al Jazeera English journalists to seven years in prison, and a third reporter to 10 years. They are charged with helping the Muslim Brotherhood and reporting false news. The news network says the sentences defy "logic, sense, and semblance of justice".

The guilty verdicts were announced by a judge on Monday against Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy, and Baher Mohamed.

Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison, while Baher Mohamed was sentenced to an additional three years for possession of ammunition. Mohamed was in possession of a spent bullet casing he had found on the ground during a protest.

Other Al Jazeera journalists who were tried in absentia, including Sue Turton and Dominic Kane, were sentenced to 10 years.

Al Jazeera has strenuously rejected the charges against its journalists and maintains their innocence.

"Egypt court sentences Al Jazeera journalists" [aljazeera.com]