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Egypt 'charges' three al-Jazeera English journalists Egypt 'charges' three al-Jazeera English journalists
(35 minutes later)
The three journalists detained in Egypt last month while working for al-Jazeera English have been charged, reports say.The three journalists detained in Egypt last month while working for al-Jazeera English have been charged, reports say.
State prosecutors accused them of using unlicensed equipment, broadcasting false news to disturb public order, and possessing fake footage.State prosecutors accused them of using unlicensed equipment, broadcasting false news to disturb public order, and possessing fake footage.
Some had confessed to being members of a terrorist group, they added.Some had confessed to being members of a terrorist group, they added.
But al-Jazeera is seeking clarification from the authorities on whether the trio, who it says were just doing their jobs, have been formally charged. But al-Jazeera said the accusations "do not stand up to scrutiny" and rejected "claims that anyone has 'confessed'".
The Qatar-based broadcaster said the prosecutors' decision to issue a statement was "unusual, as it looks like a prejudgement on an ongoing investigation". The Qatar-based broadcaster called the prosecutors' decision to issue a statement "unusual, as it looks like a prejudgement on an ongoing investigation".
It called for the Egyptian authorities "to take heed" of calls by international media organisations for the release of Australian reporter Peter Greste, Canadian Cairo bureau chief Mohammed Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed. Peter Greste - an Australian ex-BBC correspondent - Canadian Mohammed Fahmy, Cairo bureau chief, and Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed were arrested on 29 December at their hotel in Cairo. They have been in detention ever since.
A letter signed by more than 40 editors and journalists earlier this week appealed for an end to their "arbitrary imprisonment" and said the arrests had "cast a cloud over press and media freedom in Egypt."
The Egyptian authorities have long accused al-Jazeera of bias in favour of the Brotherhood since the army ousted President Mohammed Morsi in July.
'Highest standards''Highest standards'
The statement reportedly issued by Egyptian prosecutors said their investigations showed that Mr Greste, Mr Fahmy and Mr Mohamed had been intending to gather material and tamper with it in order that al-Jazeera could broadcast "fabricated footage that had nothing to do with reality". The statement reportedly issued by Egyptian prosecutors said their investigations showed the three men had been intending to gather material and tamper with it in order that al-Jazeera could broadcast "fabricated footage that had nothing to do with reality".
The network had the "objective of distorting Egypt's image abroad, damaging its political standing, and making the international public believe that the unreal footage showed what was happening in Egypt and that the country was witnessing a civil war", the prosecutors alleged.The network had the "objective of distorting Egypt's image abroad, damaging its political standing, and making the international public believe that the unreal footage showed what was happening in Egypt and that the country was witnessing a civil war", the prosecutors alleged.
"This aims to serve the objectives of the international organisation of the terrorist group and provoke the international community against Egypt," they added, apparently referring to the Brotherhood."This aims to serve the objectives of the international organisation of the terrorist group and provoke the international community against Egypt," they added, apparently referring to the Brotherhood.
The statement said "some of the accused acknowledged to be affiliated with the terrorist group". In its statement, Al-Jazeera said: "Our detained team had been working in Cairo for some time and people can still watch their work online.
Al-Jazeera responded by rejecting "claims that anyone has 'confessed'". "It was all of the highest journalistic standards and integrity, as has been all our output since the start of the momentous events in Egypt three years ago."
"The accusations against our journalists do not stand up to scrutiny," it said in a statement. The broadcaster urged the Egyptian authorities "to take heed" of calls by international media organisations for the release of its journalists.
"Our detained team had been working in Cairo for some time and people can still watch their work online. It was all of the highest journalistic standards and integrity, as has been all out output since the start of the momentous events in Egypt three years ago." A letter signed by more than 40 editors and journalists earlier this week appealed for an end to their "arbitrary imprisonment" and said the arrests had "cast a cloud over press and media freedom in Egypt."
The Egyptian authorities have long accused al-Jazeera of bias in favour of the Muslim Brotherhood since the army ousted President Mohammed Morsi in July.
Earlier in December, the Brotherhood was declared a terrorist organisation, amid a crackdown on the group in which hundreds of pro-Morsi protesters have been killed and thousands of Brotherhood supporters arrested.