Last night, the world watched as Al Jazeera journalists Peter Greste, Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were each dealt jail sentences of at least three years, as a Cairo court upheld their convictions in a retrial against the Australian and Egyptian journalists.
Greste commented on the verdict after receiving the news in Sydney.
Shocked. Outraged. Angry. Upset. None of them convey how I feel right now. 3 yr sentences for @bahrooz, @MFFahmy11 and me is so wrong.
— Peter Greste (@PeterGreste) August 29, 2015
In late 2013, Greste, Fahmy and Mohamed were raided in their Cairo hotel – eventually leading to their arrest and 7 year prison sentences. Local authorities allege the three journalists were reporting on news that was “damaging to national security“, operating without journalistic licences, “aiding terrorist organisations” and broadcasting false news.
After spending over 400 days in an Egyptian prison, Australia celebrated in February as Peter Greste was released from Egypt, touching down in Brisbane days after.
During that time, Fahmy and Mohamed were also released on bail, but remained in Egypt.
Overnight, after the Cairo court upheld their initial charges in the retrial, Baher Mohamed condemned the ruling, saying, “Journalists shouldn’t be behind bars. It’s wrong.”
Peter Greste will avoid serving his three year prison sentence as he was trialled in absentia. His colleagues, however, have already spent their first night in an Egyptian prison. “I now carry a criminal record,” Greste told reporters today, “but that fact is a mere inconvenience compared to what my colleagues are going through.”
Greste’s career as a foreign correspondent is likely to be jeopardised, as travel to any countries holding an extradition treaty with Egypt, as well as to the US, will be affected.
World-renowned international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who is representing Mohammed Fahmy, condemned the court’s decision.
“The only possible verdict that could have been reached by the court that was genuinely fair and independent would have been a full acquittal on all charges. Every single third party that has looked at this case from the beginning from the UN, the EU, the US, the UK, everyone has said there is no evidence to sustain any of the charges.”
Today, Greste criticised the verdict for it political motivation.
“It’s impossible really to understand. The only conclusion we can come to, in the absence of any evidence, is that this verdict was politically motivated, which flies in the face of everything that the Egyptian authorities have ever said.
“They’ve always insisted that the courts are politically independent, that they are free of political influence, and yet we see a verdict like this.”
Australian politicians have reacted to the news on Twitter overnight.
Dismayed by verdict Egyptian Court @PeterGreste and will continue to pursue all avenues to clear his name http://t.co/GOQrejEmXr
— Julie Bishop (@JulieBishopMP) August 29, 2015
@PeterGreste and colleagues are journalists standing for freedom of press. They’re victims of Egyptian miscarriage of justice. #FreeAJStaff
— Christine Milne (@ChristineMilne) August 29, 2015
Our thoughts are with @PeterGreste @bahrooz & @MFFahmy11 & their families, & all journalists in jail around the world #FreeAJStaff
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) August 29, 2015
Journalism isn’t a crime, but abuse of the justice system is #ajretrial
— Sarah Hanson-Young (@sarahinthesen8) August 29, 2015
Promoting the #FreeAJStaff tag, Peter Greste continues to comment on the verdict on twitter.
In a trial with no evidence of wrong doing, our convictions can only be politically motivated. We will keep fighting to #FreeAJStaff
— Peter Greste (@PeterGreste) August 29, 2015
Our convictions are unfair and unjust. We will use every tool – legal, diplomatic, political and social – to #FreeAJStaff. Join us! RT
— Peter Greste (@PeterGreste) August 29, 2015
As Greste is not in Egypt, he is unable to appeal the verdict and clear his name; Mohammed and Fahmy are eligible for appeal. The only avenue for Peter Greste to be freed of a damaging criminal conviction is to receive a formal pardon directly from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.
On the heels of the ruling overnight, the fact remains stronger than ever: journalism is not a crime.
Read our explainer on Peter Greste’s sentencing from last year over here. ABC’s in-depth timeline of Greste’s 400+ days in custody can be accessed here.
Lead image via Getty.
