Al Jazeera releases a statement on journalists? guilty trial verdict

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Al Jazeera releases a statement on journalists guilty trial verdict --

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 15:09

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Three Al Jazeera journalists; Mohamed Fahmy, Baher Mohamed and Peter Greste were arrested in Cairo on 29 December 2013 after being accused of working with the Muslim Brotherhood group. On 23 June, after spending 177 days in jail, they were put on trial and given guilty verdicts. Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years and Mohamed was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Al Jazeera has maintained that their staff is innocent and English Managing Director Al Anstey has released the following statement:

Today three colleagues and friends were sentenced, and will continue behind bars for doing a brilliant job of being great journalists. Guilty of covering stories with great skill and integrity. Guilty of defending people s right to know what is going on in their world.

Peter, Mohamed, and Baher and six of our other colleagues were sentenced despite the fact that not a shred of evidence was found to support the extraordinary and false charges against them. At no point during the long, drawn-out trial did the absurd allegations stand up to scrutiny. There were many moments during the hearings where in any other court of law, the trial would be thrown out. There were numerous irregularities in addition to the lack of evidence to stand up the ill-conceived allegations.

There is no justification whatsoever in the detention of our three colleagues for even one minute. To have detained them for 177 days is an outrage. To have sentenced them defies logic, sense, and any semblance of justice.

The support shown for Mohamed, Peter, and Baher has been loud, unified, and determined, and has come from every corner of the world. The call for their freedom has come from journalists, people right around the globe, as well as leaders worldwide. This great solidarity is a stand for basic freedoms - the freedom of speech, for the right for people to be informed, and for the right for journalists around the world to be able to do their job. And, of course, a demand to free our colleagues.

There is only one sensible outcome now. For the verdict to be overturned, and justice to be recognised by Egypt. We must keep our voice loud to call for an end to their detention. Alongside us is a worldwide solidarity, a global call for their release, and a demand for basic freedoms to be respected. The authorities in Egypt need to take responsibility for their actions, and be held to account by the global community.

We will continue with resolve and determination until Baher, Peter, and Mohamed are free and safely reunited with their families.

Visit the Al Jazeera website for more information.

Watch a video on the #FreeAJStaff campaign.

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