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Al-Jazeera journalists sentenced to three years in jail after retrial

An Egyptian court has sentenced three Al-Jazeera journalists to three years in prison after a retrial.

Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were led away from court after the verdict. A third journalist Australian Peter Greste was deported in February.

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Minister criticises Egypt over Al-Jazeera sentences

Canadian Al-Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy talks to media before the verdict. Credit: Reuters

The Government has called on Egypt to take urgent action to resolve the position of two British reporters caught up in legal cases against journalists in the country.

Minister for Middle East and North Africa Tobias Ellwood spoke after an Egyptian court sentenced three Al-Jazeera English journalists to three years in prison for broadcasting false news.

Two British journalists, Sue Turton and Dominic Kane, have previously been tried in their absence, and found guilty.

I am deeply concerned by the sentences handed down today against journalists in Egypt. These sentences will undermine confidence in Egypt's progress towards strong long term stability based on implementing the rights granted by the Egyptian constitution.

We have repeatedly raised this case and the restrictions on freedom of expression in Egypt with ministers and senior officials. It is vital that the Egyptian authorities take urgent action to resolve the position of the two British nationals in this case.

– Tobias Ellwood

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