Egypt on Monday sentenced three journalists from Al-Jazeera English to seven years in prison each on terrorism-related charges. Among those convicted was Australian correspondent Peter Greste.
In a written statement issued after the verdict and sentences were announced, the Public Prosecutor’s office said the men had been convicted of creating recordings and other matieral “to be shown to others and presented before the public in Egypt and abroad, with the aim of giving the impression to foreign public opinion that Egypt is undergoing a civil war, in order to weaken the state and its standing, harm the national interests of the country, agitate public security, spread terror among the people, and damage public interests.”
CBS News’ Alex Ortiz explained, however, that the prosecution offered little real evidence to back up those charges. They paraded pieces of equipment commonly used by broadcast journalists, such as cameras and tripods, in front of the court as if they were bloodied murder weapons.
Fellow journalists and the public were outraged by the convictions.
Total travesty of justice in trial of #AlJazeera #PeterGreste and colleagues – Journalist friends around world speechless & indignant
— Karen Allen (@KarenAllenIntl) June 23, 2014
"We are shattered,gutted- all those words don't do my emotions justice" brother of AlJazeera reporter @PeterGreste sentenced 7 years in jail
— Bel Trew (@Beltrew) June 23, 2014
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BREAKING: Egypt sentences Peter #Greste to 7 years in jail. Outrageous & unacceptable. Take action> http://t.co/1m0mn5haFa
— Amnesty International Australia ? (@amnestyOz) June 23, 2014
Outrageous 7yr sentence delivered after sham Egyptian trial – spare a thought for #PeterGreste and his co-defendants #journalismisnotacrime
— Richard Taylor (@SuperRichMedia) June 23, 2014
#AJTrial: @PeterGreste did not say anything after sentence handed down. He just raised a fist in the air.
— Sharif Kouddous (@sharifkouddous) June 23, 2014
Egyptian police blocking cameras to stop foreign journos reporting #PeterGreste verdict #FreeAJStaff pic.twitter.com/K2TofDCvM3
— Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) June 23, 2014
#Egypt in a nutshell via @jmalsin pic.twitter.com/WoM4jAa24R
— SHERIEF ASSOC LLC (@sherieffff) June 23, 2014
As a friend I feel incredibly sad, as a journalist I'm scared, as an Egyptian I'm ashamed #AJTrial
— Sherine Tadros (@SherineT) June 23, 2014
https://twitter.com/Jodie_Wd/status/481053150942478338
Peter’s nephew Alister also reacted.
As a family we are devastated but our resolve is immense. The fight will continue and we will not rest. #AJTrial #freedom #FAMILY #fighting
— A_Greste (@AlisterGreste) June 23, 2014
Let's keep #PeterGreste trending along with #FreeAJStaff pic.twitter.com/gX6R8ulfR7
— A_Greste (@AlisterGreste) June 23, 2014
@AlisterGreste @madonnamking Support and respect from the " free" world tonight…
— EugeDifference (@EugeneMcAteer) June 23, 2014
@AlisterGreste you have us all behind you. You have the country's full support. He is v lucky to have such a wonderful family.
— Gorgi Coghlan (@GorgiCoghlan) June 23, 2014
@AlisterGreste @AUSenator I stand with you all as do all Aussies
— jen eddington (@TasJen) June 23, 2014
Also sentenced was Canadian-Egyptian acting Cairo bureau chief Mohammed Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohammed, who received three additional years.
In Egypt journalists trial, Baher mohamed apparently received three extra years for possession of a souvenir bullet. A single bullet.
— David D. Kirkpatrick (@ddknyt) June 23, 2014
@ddknyt @jonamorem and a spent bullet, at that! Bah!
— Jess_gr-au (@Nichtarida) June 23, 2014
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