#FreeAJStaff: Al Jazeera condemns Egypt verdict

Following today’s retrial verdict in Cairo, Al Jazeera Media Network’s Acting Director General Dr Mostefa Souag said:

Al Jazeera journalist in Prison

“Today’s verdict defies logic and common sense. Our colleagues Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy will now have to return to prison, and Peter Greste is sentenced in absentia.”

The whole case has been heavily politicized and has not been conducted in a free and fair manner.  There is no evidence proving that our colleagues in any way fabricated news or aided and abetted terrorist organisations and at no point during the long drawn out retrial did any of the unfounded allegations stand up to scrutiny. A report issued by a technical committee assigned by the court in Egypt contradicted the accusations made by the public prosecutor and stated in its report that the seized videos were not fabricated,. Baher, Peter and Mohamed have been sentenced despite the fact that not a shred of evidence was found to support the extraordinary and false charges against them.

“Today’s verdict is yet another deliberate attack on press freedom. It is a dark day for the Egyptian judiciary; rather than defend liberties and a free and fair media they have compromised their independence for political reasons.”

“Al Jazeera Media Network will continue to call for their freedom and an end to the ordeal for Baher, Peter and Mohamed and the six Al Jazeera staff who were sentenced in absentia”.

“The support shown for Baher, Peter and Mohamed has been loud and unified and has come from every corner of the world, from world leaders, journalists, human rights organisations and the general public. Alongside demanding the release of our colleagues, Al Jazeera calls on every one to continue the fight for the freedom of speech, for the right of people to be informed and for the right of journalists around the world to be able to do their job.

“We will not rest until Baher, Peter, Mohamed and the six Al Jazeera staff sentenced in absentia are freed and formally and definitively acquitted from the trumped up charges against them.”

Journalism is not a crime.

#FreeAJStaff: Al Jazeera condemns Egypt verdict

Egypt sentences Ex-President Mohamed Morsi to death

An Egypt court has sentenced former President Mohamed Morsi to death for a mass prison break in 2011.

The court ruled on Saturday that the sentencing of Morsi and 105 others will be referred to the Grand Mufti, the highest religious authority in Egypt, for confirmation.

Many of those sentenced were tried in absentia, including Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an influential Islamic scholar based in Qatar.

The court will pronounce its final decision on June 2.

Morsi, who was overthrown by the army in 2013 amid mass protests against his government, was spared the death sentence in the first of two trials that concluded on Thursday, in which the court advised death sentences for 16 defendants on espionage charges.

Egypt sentences Ex-President Mohamed Morsi to death

Egypt: Mubarak, sons bag 3 years each for corruption

An Egyptian Court on Saturday sentenced former President Hosni Mubarak to three years in prison in a retrial on charges of corruption.

The Criminal Court also gave a similar sentence to each of his two sons, Alaa and Gamal, and ordered the three to pay a fine of 125 million Egyptian pounds (16.4 million dollars).

The case is linked to charges that Mubarak and his two sons spent more than 100 million Egyptian pounds of state money on their private residences.

It was not immediately clear if the ruling could be appealed.

Mubarak, 87 ruled Egypt for nearly 30 years until a popular revolution forced him from power in 2011.

He also received a three year sentence on the charges last year, with his sons jailed for four years each.

Egypt: Mubarak, sons bag 3 years each for corruption

Egyptian President Al-sisi invites Buhari to Cairo

ABUJA – The Egyptian President, Abdel Fatah Al-sisi has invited the President-elect Gen Muhammadu Buhari to Cairo for a discussion on how to strengthen bilateral relationship with the countries.

The Egyptian presidential spokesman Amb. Alaa Youssef said President Al-sisis extended the invitation to Gen. Muhammadu during a telephone conversation between the two leaders.

He said the Egyptian President also used the occasion to congratulate the President-elect Gen Muhammadu Buhari over his victory at the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

The spokesman added that Al-sisi also officially invited Buhari to visit Egypt in order to hold talks about how to strengthen the bilateral relationship and discuss the regional and international common interests like fighting terrorism and enhancing the security and the stability of the continent for the desired development of its people.

Youssef said, “During the call they discussed the bilateral relationship between the two countries and agreed on the importance of this relationship and the need to develop it on various levels.

They also agreed to have more dialogue and coordination on the African level for the interest of the continent which Egypt gives a priority.

ABUJA – The Egyptian President, Abdel Fatah Al-sisi has invited the President-elect Gen Muhammadu Buhari to Cairo for a discussion on how to strengthen bilateral relationship with the countries.

The Egyptian presidential spokesman Amb. Alaa Youssef said President Al-sisis extended the invitation to Gen. Muhammadu during a telephone conversation between the two leaders.

He said the Egyptian President also used the occasion to congratulate the President-elect Gen Muhammadu Buhari over his victory at the March 28, 2015 presidential election.

The spokesman added that Al-sisi also officially invited Buhari to visit Egypt in order to hold talks about how to strengthen the bilateral relationship and discuss the regional and international common interests like fighting terrorism and enhancing the security and the stability of the continent for the desired development of its people.

Youssef said, “During the call they discussed the bilateral relationship between the two countries and agreed on the importance of this relationship and the need to develop it on various levels.

They also agreed to have more dialogue and coordination on the African level for the interest of the continent which Egypt gives a priority.

Egyptian President Al-sisi invites Buhari to Cairo

Ex-Egyptian President, Morsi jailed 20 years

An Egyptian court sentenced former president Mohammed Morsi to 20 years in prison on Tuesday in connection with the deaths of protesters during demonstrations against his rule in 2012. Morsi also faces charges in two other trials.

Morsi supporters attacked opposition protesters outside the presidential palace in December 2012, sparking clashes that killed at least 10 people.

Judge Ahmed Youssef dropped the murder charges against Morsi and said the sentence was instead linked to the “show of force” against protesters and unlawful detentions.

The Cairo Criminal Court issued the verdict as Morsi and other defendants in the case – mostly other Muslim Brotherhood leaders – stood in a soundproof glass cage in a makeshift courtroom at Egypt’s national police academy.

The country’s first freely elected president, Morsi took power after the 2011 overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. Morsi himself was ousted by the army in 2013 and put on trial as the new regime of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi launched a relentless crackdown on the moderate Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.

Hundreds of Brotherhood members have since been sentenced to death and thousands more jailed.

The Muslim Brotherhood issued a statement ahead of the verdict on Tuesday denouncing the judiciary – calling it a tool of repression – and calling for protests.

“The coup commander (Sisi) is exploiting the judiciary as a weapon in the battle against popular will and the democratic and revolutionary legitimacy represented by President Mohamed Morsi,” the statement said.

The Brotherhood called for “non-stop revolutionary marches and demonstrations” starting Tuesday in support of Morsi and demanding his reinstatement.

The Muslim Brotherhood, now blacklisted by Egypt as a “terrorist organisation”, has previously failed to mobilise large numbers for its rallies because of persistent fears amid a continuing crackdown.

Morsi also faces the possible death penalty in connection with two other trials, including one in which he is accused of leaking state secrets to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. He is also accused of escaping from prison during the widespread protests that eventually ousted Mubarak.

Separate verdicts in those two cases are due on May 16.

Ex-Egyptian President, Morsi jailed 20 years

President Sisi slammed over Al Jazeera claims

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Al Jazeera has condemned a claim by President Sisi that its journalists are activists rather than impartial observers. The network has also strongly defended its coverage of an airstrike by Egypt in Libya last month, after Sisi said it had fabricated footage of dead children. Al Jazeera had strongly proven the authenticity of the footage at the time.

Sisi’s comments were made to a group of visiting African journalists, when their first question was about the ongoing case of the two Al Jazeera journalists currently being retried in his country.

Sisi said: “The Al Jazeera reporters in Egypt had turned into activists instead of objective journalists. Look at what they reported about our intervention in Libya against the ISIS for killing 21 Egyptian (Coptic Christians). They went and picked a picture they took in Syria and claimed that was Libya as a result of our air strikes on the ISIS positions. They claimed we had killed children and women. Egypt is not going to tolerate this …. We are working on the constitutional review to address some of these issues.”

Al Jazeera had aired one report of children killed by airstrikes in Libya since Egypt’s intervention. The February 16 Al Jazeera Arabic report included

footage of children killed by Egyptian airstrikes in Darna. Despite false accusations of inaccurate reporting by Egyptian media, all witnesses of the attack verified the authenticity of the Al Jazeera report.

Al Jazeera spokesperson Osama Saeed said that claiming Al Jazeera would fake footage of dead children was a “shocking” accusation.

“Sisi’s attack on Al Jazeera’s factual reporting is a poor and misguided attempt to draw attention away from the facts of the ongoing retrial of our journalists in Egypt. Before their arrests, Baher and Mohamed helped produce our accurate, balanced and comprehensive journalism in Egypt. All the work they were  involved in is available to view online. The president has previously said that he wished this case had never arisen, and recently promised to free Baher and Mohamed. Rather than make misleading and false claims regarding Al Jazeera’s coverage, the president’s efforts should be concentrated on ending this miscarriage of justice.”

The next retrial hearing is tomorrow. The previous two court sessions were adjourned quickly after prosecution witnesses failed to appear, a delay that has been criticized. Al Jazeera has communicated to its journalists to continue to concentrate on the case and to forgo any public comments on the case that may harm the ongoing retrial.

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President Sisi slammed over Al Jazeera claims

Egyptian authority releases Al Jazeera"s journalist after 400 days in detention

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By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News

Egyptian authorities has released one of the Al Jazeera journalists, Peter greste who was imprisoned in Cairo for 400 days.

Al Jazeera journalist in Prison

The remaining two journalists, a producer, Baher Mohamed, and the channel’s Cairo bureau chief, Moohamed Fahmy are still in custody.

Julie Bishop, Australian Foreign Mnister confirmed the release and added that Greste had arrived in Cyprus and was eager to reach his country, Australia.

The journalist who was released unconditionally was accomapnied by his brother, Mike and was said to be in good health.

Meanwhile, the Al Jazeera network has said that the remaining two have to be exonerated and the convictions against them tried in absentia also have to be lifted.

The network vowed not to rest in its campaign to free its journalist in Egypt till all have been released.

 

Mostefa Souag, acting Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network, said, “We’re pleased for Peter and his family that they are to be reunited. It has been an incredible and unjustifiable ordeal for them, and they have coped with incredible dignity. Peter’s integrity is not just intact, but has been further enhanced by the fortitude and sacrifice he has shown for his profession of informing the public. We will not rest until Baher and Mohamed also regain their freedom. The Egyptian authorities have it in their power to finish this properly today, and that is exactly what they must do.”

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Egyptian authority releases Al Jazeera"s journalist after 400 days in detention

Al Jazeera journalist vindicated after Interpol rejects request from Egypt

Interpol, the international organisation for police cooperation, has rejected a request from Egypt to issue one of its red notices against Ahmed Mansour, an Al Jazeera journalist.

An Interpol red notice is one of the closest instruments to an international arrest warrant. The network says the rejection of the request by Interpol is another clear indication of how the targeted campaign by Egypt against Al Jazeera is failing in the eyes of global opinion.

Mansour was convicted earlier this month in absentia by an Egyptian court and given a 15-year jail term for carrying out alleged torture during the January 25th revolution in 2011. Mansour rejected the charges as absurd, while Al Jazeera dismissed the accusation as a flimsy attempt at character assassination against of one of its leading journalists.

In an email to Al Jazeera’s lawyers, Interpol confirmed receiving a request from Egypt’s National Central Bureau about Mansour, but said that the red notice request “did not meet Interpol’s rules.”

Al Jazeera spokesperson Osama Saeed said: “This is further evidence of how Egypt’s legal actions against Al Jazeera are perceived as part of a political campaign against the network. This campaign is plainly not working and we will not be intimidated – journalists and citizens across the world are horrified by these breaches of basic press freedom. After the unjust imprisonment of three of our journalists last year who remain in Egyptian prison, and this unwarranted pursuit of one of the Arab world’s most prominent journalists, the Egyptian authorities should stop undermining freedom of speech, one of the pillars of the civilized world.”

The award-winning network recently won an Emmy and has been the benefactor of multiple journalistic awards. Al Jazeera said that it remained committed to its mission of putting the human being at the centre of its news agenda and giving a voice to the voiceless in the face of continuing harassment and imprisonment of its journalists by the Egyptian authorities.

The network also reiterated its call for the release of the three Al Jazeera English journalists – Baher Mohammed, Mohammed Fahmy and Peter Greste – who have been in jail since 29 December 2013 as part of a separate case.

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Al Jazeera journalist vindicated after Interpol rejects request from Egypt

Hope for release of jailed journalists as appeal date set

1 January 2015 has been set as the date when Al Jazeera’s jailed journalists in Egypt will have the appeals against their convictions considered.

The hearing will look at the process behind the original trial, a process that Al Jazeera says was flawed, and is the basis of the appeal. The network hopes the three – Baher Mohammed, Mohammed Fahmy and Peter Greste – will be set free, though a retrial could also be ordered.

Baher Mohammed, Mohammed Fahmy and Peter Greste were sentenced to between seven and ten years in June, after being arrested in December last year.

Since the appeal was filed, another Al Jazeera journalist in a separate case, Ahmed Mansour, was convicted in absentia to fifteen years in jail.

Al Jazeera spokesperson Osama Saeed said: “Baher, Mohammed and Peter have been incarcerated for nearly ten months on the patently absurd charges of falsifying news and being involved in terrorism. In reality, they are fine journalists, convicted on the basis of a weak investigation and a court case riddled with procedural flaws. We hope that the court date of 1 January 2015 means that the new year can herald a new chapter, with the release of our journalists and the betterment of press freedoms in Egypt.”

Al Jazeera will mark 300 days since the arrest of its journalists this Friday, 24 October 2014, with 300 seconds of silence on-air, accompanied by images of the detainees and the campaign to release them.

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Hope for release of jailed journalists as appeal date set

Egypt sentences another Al Jazeera journalist to 15 years

In another disturbing move against freedom of speech and independent journalism in Egypt, one of Al Jazeera Arabic’s presenters, Ahmed Mansour, has been sentenced in absentia to 15 years imprisonment by Cairo’s criminal court on the absurd charge of torturing a lawyer in Tahrir Square during the 25 January 2011 revolution.

Ahmed`

This is yet another bizarre and unjust targeting of Al Jazeera journalists, after the sentencing of other Al Jazeera journalists this past year to from seven to ten years imprisonment. Baher Mohamed, Peter Greste, and Mohamed Fahmy remain in prison, while others were tried in absentia.

Al Jazeera spokesperson Osama Saeed says, “This unjust ruling, along with false accusations and criminal charges, is further evidence of the attempt to silence journalists, tarnish their reputations and disrupt their work. Ahmed Mansour himself has been targeted with more than 150 false accusations and complaints against him by the Egyptian authorities, this verdict being just one of them.

“This case is another illustration of how Al Jazeera Media Network is paying the price for its professionalism, after the imprisonment of its journalists from Al Jazeera English, and Abdullah Elshamy, and the shooting of Mohammad Al-Zaki during the dispersal of the Rabaa sit-in. It is a price not only paid by Al Jazeera, but also other journalists from global and Egyptian media. Scores have faced harassment, been arrested, and even lost their lives for the sake of getting the truth to viewers and readers.

“The verdict against Ahmed Mansour – who is followed by millions and has interviewed world and thought leaders – reveals how the Egyptian judicial system is politicised and continues to use its authority to intimidate journalists.

“Al Jazeera remains dedicated and committed to its editorial and professional standards and maintains full confidence in its staff. Despite this baseless ruling, Ahmed Mansour remains one of the most respected journalists in the Arab world.

“Al Jazeera Media Network calls on the Egyptian authorities to refrain from character assassinations against journalists in their attempts to unfairly tarnish reputations. The network renews its demand for all jailed journalists to be released and stands firmly by its colleagues.”

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Egypt sentences another Al Jazeera journalist to 15 years

Jailed Al Jazeera journalist writes touching letter to new son.

• Egyptian jail causes Al Jazeera journalist to miss birth of son

Jailed Al Jazeera journalist Baher Mohammed will become a father again today. His unjust imprisonment has however meant that he will not be at his wife Gehan’s side when she gives birth to their baby boy.

From his jail cell, Baher released a letter to the new arrival, to be named Haroun. The letter is a mix of sadness and hope for the child’s future, as well as some valuable wisdom for his two other children – four year old Hazem and three year old Fairouz.

Baher begins by sharing his hopes that there are better days ahead for Egypt:

“Sorry because you were born where free people are behind bars, including your father. Sorry too because you have come to a society where its freedom’s restricted. But I promise you I will always fight for liberty. I don’t want you to give up on this society… because I am sure that soon everything will change for the better.”

He goes on to share his life lessons to his children:

My dear children, there are things I learnt and I want to share with you. I was always fighting for the truth in my career and that was not easy. Whatever it takes, keep looking for the truth and never be afraid of it. I want you all to maintain your dignity. It is one of your most precious values. Always be patient because you will face lots of obstacles in your path. Always be good to all, even to those who treat you badly. Feel the pain of the others and keep trying to help them. If you feel you can help and make someone happy, never hesitate. If you can draw a smile on someone’s face… then take the action to draw this smile.

My dear children… keep smiling because behind the clouds the sun always shines.”

Finally, Baher tells of the close bond between the families of the three imprisoned journalists. Peter Greste’s parents and Mohamed Fahmy’s family are at the hospital to support his wife, Gehan, who was admitted to hospital earlier today.

“Finally Haroun, I want you to ask your Mama to forgive me because I couldn’t be with her the moment you arrived. I want you also to take it easy on her. And by the way… the moment you will arrive you will meet two great Australians; the parents of Peter Greste, who is in prison (with) me, as well as the great Egyptian family of Mohamed Fahmy, my colleague. Together we are sharing this struggle and together we will celebrate your birth. They are your family and their sons’ are your father’s brothers.

So don’t be shy of them.

Love you Haroun…

Your father: Baher Mohamed

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Jailed Al Jazeera journalist writes touching letter to new son.

Obama speaks out over Egypt"s jailing of Al Jazeera journalists

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, has once again called for the release of Al Jazeera journalists, jailed for seven years in Cairo on 23 June this year.

Speaking Wednesday, on the last day of the US-Africa summit in Washington DC, Obama addressed the issue in clear terms, stating the US demands the freedom of journalists to report, a basic tenet of a civilised society:

“The specific issue with the Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt, we have been clear both publicly and privately that they should be released,” Obama said. “We have been very consistent in pushing governments not just in Africa but around the world to respect the right of journalists to practice their trade, as a critical part of civil society and a critical part of any democratic norm.”

Managing Director of Al Jazeera English, Al Anstey, welcomed the President’s comments and renewed the call for the immediate release of Al Jazeera English’s detained staff, who have now been behind bars for 222 days. “Peter, Mohamed, and Baher are superb journalists with great integrity. Their continuing detention is outrageous; a challenge to media freedom, and to the freedom of speech. Not a shred of evidence was presented against them in the trial, which culminated in the extraordinary sentences, so once again we call for an end to this injustice.”

Unprecedented global support for the release of Al Jazeera journalists

Calls for the release of Al Jazeera staff have previously been made from the White House, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the European Union, the Australian Government and over 150 rights groups, including Amnesty International, the Committee to Protect Journalists and the International Press Institute.

Over 200,000 people have signed petitions globally, including two petitions signed by 150,000 people presented to the Egyptian Vice Counsel in Sydney by Australia’s leading journalists.

Over 40 of the world’s top journalists have also signed a letter demanding the release of the journalists, and media outlets across the globe have staged their own protests, including BBC, CNN, ITN, Channel 4, Fairfax Australia, Toronto Star, VRT Deredactie and Iran’s Shargh Daily.

High profile supporters include leading media personalities Larry King, Christiane Amanpour, Jon Snow, Piers Morgan, Stephen Fry, Ben Wedeman, Brian Stelter, and Alex Thompson, as well as Naomi Klein, Reza Aslan, Mia Farrow, Bianca Jagger, Julia Perez and Russell Simmons.

Similarly public calls of support for the release of the journalists have occurred throughout the social media campaign #FreeAJStaff, with over 137,000 people who have shared their support on Twitter, reaching 112 million people, and delivering over two billion impressions.

The case has also been lampooned on the US comedy show The Daily Show, as well as numerous political cartoons.

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Obama speaks out over Egypt"s jailing of Al Jazeera journalists

Egypt to release hunger-striking Al Jazeera journalist

Egypt’s prosecutor general has ordered the release of Al Jazeera Arabic journalist Abdullah Elshamy on medical grounds, ending almost a year of imprisonment without charge.

Abdullahi Al Jazeera journalist

A statement from the prosecutor’s office on Monday said Elshamy, who has been on hunger strike since January, would be set free due to “health conditions.” The statement said 13 other people would be freed on the same grounds.

Elshamy, born in Egypt but raised in Nigeria, has been on hunger strike for 147 days in protest of his prolonged imprisonment without charge. He was arrested on 14 August 2013 while covering the violent dispersal of a sit-in by supporters of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was overthrown by the army in July.

Commenting on the Egyptian prosecutor’s statement that Elshamy will be released, Al Jazeera spokesperson Osama Saeed said, “This is a relief rather than a cause for celebration. Abdullah has been through a terrible ordeal for over ten months. He’ll want to spend time with his family and recuperate. When he’s ready, we look forward to seeing him back in action, doing the vital job of journalism that he so clearly loves.”

Al Jazeera English journalists Peter Greste, Baher Mohammed and Mohammed Fahmy are still behind bars, and Al Jazeera continues to call for their freedom. A verdict in their case is due on 23 June 2014.

In a final plea from defence lawyers, the court yesterday was reminded that this “trial is not a trial for these defendants alone – but a trial of all journalists.”

Fahmy, who was allowed to address the judge before the case was adjourned, also said: “This case is a political case.”

Saeed said, “Yesterday was the final summation by the defense. Again the weaknesses of the prosecution case have been exposed. On the balance of arguments, Al Jazeera hopes the judge will take into consideration the facts presented to him and acquit Peter, Baher and Mohammed of any wrong doing. On June 23rd, the entire world will be watching Egypt to see whether they uphold the values of press freedom.”

Previous court dates have bizarrely included the prosecution showing footage of Sky News Arabia tourism reports, BBC podcasts, songs by Gotye, photoshopped images of Fahmy, Greste’s family photos, and some of Greste’s award-winning work from East Africa.

Calls for the release of the Al Jazeera staff have been made from the White House, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the European Union. Similarly public calls of support for the #FreeAJStaff campaign have been made from prominent media personalities with over 60,000 people supporting the #FreeAJStaff campaign, which has had over 1.2 billion impressions on Twitter. Various media freedom and human rights groups have also issued statements ranging from the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Press Institute, Amnesty International and The Foreign Correspondents Association of East Africa.

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Egypt to release hunger-striking Al Jazeera journalist

Prominent Egyptians call for freedom of jailed journalist Abdullah Elshamy

133 prominent Egyptians have signed a letter urging the release of detained Al Jazeera reporter Abdullah Elshamy.

There has been global interest in the cases of Al Jazeera’s detained journalists for months, with support inside Egypt itself building in recent weeks.

TV presenter Amr Adeeb said last week that ongoing incarcerations were wrong and were doing harm to Egypt’s image.

The signatories of the letter include actors, artists, TV presenters, authors and politicians. These include Dr. Amr Hamzawy, a university professor, former parliament member and newspaper columnist; Reem Majid, a talk show host on ON TV; Khalid Ali, a humanitarian activist, lawyer and former presidential candidate; and Mariam Naoum, a renowned screenwriter whose artwork has been shown in festivals like Venice Film Festival, Dubai Film Festival and Brussels Film Festival.

According to Egyptian media reports, the letter says of Elshamy: “He is a journalist on Al Jazeera and was arrested on 14 August 2013, while he was covering the dispersal of the Rab’aa sit-in. On 21 January 2014, he started a hunger strike in protest against his unlawful detention without any charges or evidence. His detention is being renewed continually; last time was on 3 May 2014 when he got another 45 days of detention.”

The letter is addressed to the National Council for Human Rights. “The council was founded by law, with the first article stating that it aims to enhance human rights, embed them, create awareness of them, and contributing to their practice. We demand this is applied to Abdullah Elshamy and Mohamed Sultan’s [another separate detainee] cases specifically. It is important the council visits them with an independent physician, and urges the authorities to free them immediately, moving them to a hospital until this happens. Two young men who have not been charged, one of them not even referred to court, are about to die in Egyptian prisons, and we hold you and ourselves as higher than standing by and watching this happen. If serious actions to save them are not to be made, we will do everything we can to escalate this and get them freed.”

Other signatories of the letter include poet Tamim AlBarghoothy; TV presenter Dina And ElRahman; actress Basma; lawyer and political activist Ziyad AlEleemy; screenwriter Azza Shalaby; journalist Naglaa Bedair, and writer and publisher Mohamed Hashem.

Separately, it has been reported in Egyptian media that humanitarian activist Dr. Aida Seif AlDawla and Dr. Layla Sowaif, a professor in the faculty of science in Cairo University, have announced they are on hunger strike in solidarity.

Al Jazeera spokesperson Osama Saeed commented: “We value each and every initiative supporting freedom for Abdullah and his right to proper medical care. The support Abdullah is getting from Egyptian society is noble, significant and is growing day-by-day. We reiterate our call to free Abdullah because journalism is not a crime.”

The Egyptian authorities have not provided access to Elshamy to verify reports he ended his hunger strike. His family and solicitor have expressed concern about his health and of what may have happened to him since he was placed in solitary confinement two weeks ago.

Four Al Jazeera journalists are being detained in Egypt in total. Al Jazeera English’s Peter Greste, Baher Mohammed and Mohammed Fahmy have been in captivity since 29 December 2013.

Prominent Egyptians call for freedom of jailed journalist Abdullah Elshamy

Secret evidence finally aired in Al Jazeera English trial

The evidence hitherto withheld by the Egyptian prosecutor in the trial of the three Al Jazeera English journalists has finally been aired in court.

The prosecutor had previously tried to charge the defence $170,000 to access it, but they were forced to exhibit the supposedly incriminating material at today’s hearing.

The result was more bizarre scenes in court though. Among the items shown to the judge and the court were BBC podcasts and a song by Australian artist Goyte.

Under cross-examination, the official said to have put together the evidence admitted that a clearly edited photo of Mohammed Fahmy, which was put on the court’s big screen by the prosecution, was not something he had seen before.

Al Jazeera spokesperson Osama Saeed said, “The charges against our journalists are absurd; there is not a shred of evidence against them. The whole world can see that and we look forward to the day, hopefully very soon, when they will be free and back doing the jobs they have always carried out with the utmost of integrity.”

The trial was adjourned till 1 June 2014. Peter Greste, Baher Mohammed and Mohammed Fahmy have been held in captivity since 29 December 2013. Abdullah Elshamy of Al Jazeera Arabic has been held even longer, since 14 August 2013.

Secret evidence finally aired in Al Jazeera English trial

#SaveAbdullah: Egyptians speak out for detained Al Jazeera journalists

• #SaveAbdullah campaign launched to hospitalize and save life of hunger striking journalist

• Human rights activist calls for release

• TV anchor says the case is doing harm to Egypt

Prominent Egyptians have begun to call for the release of Al Jazeera’s journalists detained in their country.

The interventions come as Abdullah Elshamy was moved by the Egyptian authorities to an unknown location. Earlier his lawyer had asked the authorities to transfer him to hospital within 48 hours amid growing concerns for his life. He has been on hunger strike since 21 January 2014.

Hoda AbdelMoneim, head of AlHorreya Observatory for Detainees Rights, said today, “Abdullah Elshamy is asking for his rights in a fair trial. He is detained unlawfully and no charges have been filed against him, although Article 10 of the Declaration of Human Rights states that every individual has the right to be submitted to a fair independent court.”

She also urged civil society, in a press release today, to pressure for the release of Elshamy to save his life after he exceeded 110 days of hunger strike.

Tests on Elshamy’s blood and urine conducted in a private laboratory have indicated his life is in serious danger. Medical experts state that he is now suffering kidney dysfunction, severe anemia and low red blood cell count.

After the results, his family tweeted: “Put @abdallahelshamy in your prayers. He’s between God’s hands and could lose his life anytime.”

“Abdullah is running out of time. We demand that he is admitted to an independent hospital immediately. With experts saying he may die in few days, every journalist, every organization and every human has to do something to save this 26-year-old journalist,” said Al Jazeera spokesperson Osama Saeed.

Al Jazeera English’s detained trio are meanwhile due back in court on Thursday, 15 May 2014. In recent days, TV presenter Amr Adeeb called for the release of Al Jazeera’s staff, saying that press freedoms have to be upheld. Adeeb hosts a daily talk show “Al Qahera Al Youm” (Cairo Today) on the “Al Youm” (Today) channel. Speaking live on his show, he said, “I am against jailing any journalist based on his work, regardless of what he reports. And this case is causing us embarrassment globally. In every interview with any Egyptian official on a foreign platform, a question about it is asked. I am totally against this attitude, because if I approve of it, I might be doing some work in Doha and get arrested and can’t say a word. Whatever was being reported and sent by these guys [Al Jazeera’s journalists] – and I know many of you will be against what I am saying, and you also know that I have never been on good terms with Al Jazeera – but there are regulations all over the world: journalists and reporters have immunity, even if you do not like what they report or find it harmful. And if journalists are being jailed because they report in a way that does not appeal to governments, you would find half the journalists of the world in jail!”

#SaveAbdullah: Egyptians speak out for detained Al Jazeera journalists

From my prison cell - Arrested Aljazeera journalist in Egypt

The letter written by journalist Abdullah Elshamy from his Egyptian prison cell.

Aljazeera – At the end of October, some of us in cell 7/3 in Abuza’bal prison learned about the death of the mother of one of our colleagues in the same cell. What they did not know, however, was how to tell him about the death of his mother.

At the same time, another inmate, who is in his early twenties, heard that his first child was born but had to wait for weeks to see him at the monthly visiting time granted by the prison authorities.

Prison is a big tragedy in which the lives of people are brought to a standstill until further notice.  Some lose their fathers, wives or their jobs. The only space available to them in the world becomes only a few centimetres when lying, or two or three metres when standing.

On Tuesday night, May 5th, while I was spending my birthday sleeping, two prison guards came to my cell and asked me to accompany them to meet the officer in-charge at nine o’clock.

This was rather strange but later I found out that the prison authorities had received a message from the Minister’s Assistant for Prison Affairs, inquiring about my health situation.

This was followed by a visit by the same person in the morning of Wednesday, 6th May.

There was apparent confusion.  He was trying to convince me to put an end to my hunger strike, saying that it was ” a sin ” one time , or that ” Egypt needed me ” another time.  So I replied: “Egypt needs me to be in prison?”.

He continued talking about the importance of looking after my health, trying to be friendly by saying he would refer my case to the prosecutor and to the court as if that had not been done already.

The conversation lasted for half an hour, and then I ended it by saying: “You know and I know that my detention is to no avail, these are nothing more than arbitrary and groundless decisions.”

So he turned to the prison officers and said: “Place him under constant surveillance and examination”.

Although I do not know the reasons behind these two incidents, they are indications that victory is imminent. I may not have thought that things would come to a point of stubborn defiance between one individual and an entire regime which is afraid of him and are doing all they can to dissuade him.

It has come to my knowledge that the European Union wishes to monitor the coming elections and that its foreign policy chief Baroness Ashton is happy with the steps taken by Egypt toward democracy.

I am sure, deep down, she must realise that the basis for any democracy is the freedom of press.

So how can Ashton, I wonder, trust a democracy without a free press, at a time when I am facing a slow death alongside other journalists like Peter, Baher, Mohammad, Aladily, Sameh, and Shokan?

We are all journalists languishing in jail, without committing any wrongdoing.

Baroness Ashton, everything eventually comes to an end, and history will only perpetuate the courageous stands one takes. I think it is not too late to take one.

There is a saying that I had often heard in Nigeria from an old man: “One day, each person will get what’s pre-ordained for him”.

I believe that I am walking a path that will make the future better than the past. I am a story being written…it will be a happy one indeed.

Abdullah Elshamy

Tuesday 6th May

8:05pm

Tora Prison

From my prison cell - Arrested Aljazeera journalist in Egypt

Pressure on Egypt to allow Al Jazeera detainee medical attention

•Journalist’s wife begins her own hunger strike in solidarity

Amid mounting concern for detained journalist Abdullah Elshamy’s health on the hundredth day of his hunger strike, Al Jazeera has called upon the Egyptian authorities to urgently grant him access to independent medical assistance.

Since embarking on his hunger strike, Elshamy’s weight has collapsed from 108kg to 74g as of 21 April 2014. He has not been examined by a physician during this period, and Egypt does not grant the International Committee of The Red Cross access to detainees.

On Saturday, the Egyptian prosecutor will decide whether to free Elshamy, or extend his detention. As he is a journalist, Al Jazeera has called for his case to be considered separately from the approximately 500 others whose cases are being reviewed at the same time. Concerns are running particularly high given the treatment of mass trials in Egypt recently.

Elshamy began his hunger strike by permitting himself only water, milk, juice without sugar, and two dates per day. After 14 days, he stopped taking dates. By the end of February, at around 38 days, he cut out milk. Since 16 March 2014, he has solely been consuming water.

His wife, Gehad Khaled, is now also on hunger strike. She began on 14 March 2014 and, since the start of her third week, has been only taking water.

She said yesterday, “It is painful: one hundred days. What makes it worse is the refusal of the Egyptian authorities to allow independent doctors to examine Abdullah. I have no idea of his health condition. He has lost an incredible amount of weight and can barely walk; I have no idea what is going on with his organs and nervous system. I decided to join his hunger strike so I can live a very small part of his experience. I now survive solely on water. Many people talk to me about what may be happening to our bodies and what may happen to us in the future, but all this talk doesn’t matter – because so long as our freedom is stolen from us, what is there to fear?”

Born in Egypt but raised in Nigeria, Elshamy works as a West Africa correspondent for Al Jazeera Arabic. He has been detained since August 2013.

Also this Saturday, the three Al Jazeera English detainees – correspondent Peter Greste and producers Baher Mohamed and Mohammed Fahmy – will have their latest trial hearing. Saturday is 3 May 2014, World Press Freedom Day. Al Jazeera says it would be an ideal opportunity for Egypt to free all four men.

Pressure on Egypt to allow Al Jazeera detainee medical attention

Al Jazeera estimates losses in excess of $150 million

Al Jazeera Media Network has submitted an official notification of dispute to the interim Egyptian government. The network says it is relying on a Bilateral Treaty signed between the country in which it is headquartered, Qatar, and Egypt as the basis for its decision.

Al Jazeera has estimated losses of more than $150 million. As per the Bilateral Treaty, if no amicable settlement between Al Jazeera and the Egyptian authorities has been reached within six months, Al Jazeera will take the case to international arbitration.

Al Jazeera has been subjected to a sustained campaign of harassment, intimidation and jamming of its transmission, with Egyptian security forces raiding its offices, shutting it down and confiscating its equipment in addition to attacking its reputation.

Four Al Jazeera staff members have been detained in Egyptian jails. Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent Abdullah ElShamy has been detained since August 2013, while Al Jazeera English correspondent Peter Greste has been detained since December 2013 with producers Baher Mohamed and Mohammed Fahmy.

For a timeline on the intimidation campaign against Al Jazeera in Egypt, please visit Al Jazeera

 

Al Jazeera estimates losses in excess of $150 million

Egypt court sentences four gays to prison

(AFP)—A court in Egypt sentenced four men to up to eight years in prison on Monday for practicing homosexuality, a judicial official said.

Prosecutors had accused the men of holding “deviant parties” and dressing in women’s clothes. Three were sentenced to eight years and the fourth to three years in prison.

Prosecutors have used a law banning “debauchery” to try homosexuals in the past.

Those accused of homosexuality are often forced to undergo medical tests to establish they are “habitual” gays, a practice rights groups have decried as abusive.

Homosexuality is not tolerated across the Middle East and much of Africa.

 

Egypt court sentences four gays to prison