The courtroom erupted in shock and grief as the Cairo Criminal Court sentenced Saturday three Al Jazeera journalists to three years in prison on Saturday, in the final re-trial session of a case that received global media and public attention.
Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed are sentenced under a strict term. Mohamed was sentenced to an additional six months.
The judge introduced his verdict by saying that the court reviewed the case in 13 sessions, “before being completely convinced of the charges”. The court concluded that the three were not journalists, as per Egyptian Law, as they are not registered at the Press Syndicate.
The court also charged the three with operating unlicensed equipment, broadcasting false news, and editing videos to show an unrealistic image, with the purpose of harming Egypt’s public order.
Reporting by Amira El-Fekki
Photos by Mohamed Omar
