Egypt: Judge Says Devil United Journalists From Al Jazeera to Destabilize Nation
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Version 0 of 1. A judge released his reasoning for harsh sentences issued last month against three journalists for Al Jazeera’s English-language channel, saying they had been brought together “by the devil” to destabilize Egypt. The main evidence cited in the document was footage the journalists produced that included voices critical of the government and that showed turmoil after the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi last summer, and interviews with families of those killed in the crackdown on his Islamist supporters. The judge, Mohammed Nagi Shehata, convicted and sentenced the three — Peter Greste, an Australian; Mohamed Fahmy, a Canadian of Egyptian descent; and Baher Mohamed, an Egyptian — to seven years over charges linked to aiding the Muslim Brotherhood, of which Mr. Morsi was a leader. The judge said that Al Jazeera worked “in the service of a banned terrorist organization,” referring to the Brotherhood. The journalists say they were prosecuted for doing their jobs. Under Egyptian law, they can appeal the verdicts to the Court of Cassation, the highest court of appeal. |