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Al-Jazeera journalists held in Egypt accused of harming national security Al-Jazeera journalists held in Egypt accused of harming national security
(about 17 hours later)
Egyptian prosecutors have said three journalists working for al-Jazeera English are being interrogated on suspicion of having unlicensed equipment and broadcasting false news that harmed national security.Egyptian prosecutors have said three journalists working for al-Jazeera English are being interrogated on suspicion of having unlicensed equipment and broadcasting false news that harmed national security.
The journalists were taken into custody on 29 December, on suspicion of joining the Muslim Brotherhood and spreading false news harmful to state security, but no formal charges have been filed as the investigation is ongoing, according to the Egyptian authorities.The journalists were taken into custody on 29 December, on suspicion of joining the Muslim Brotherhood and spreading false news harmful to state security, but no formal charges have been filed as the investigation is ongoing, according to the Egyptian authorities.
The statement from the chief prosecutor's office on Thursday claimed some of the detainees had confessed to being members of the Muslim Brotherhood.The statement from the chief prosecutor's office on Thursday claimed some of the detainees had confessed to being members of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Al-Jazeera insists Australian correspondent Peter Greste, Egyptian-Canadian acting bureau chief Mohammed Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed were just doing their jobs. Mohamed Fawzy, an al-Jazeera colleague arrested at the same time, has since been released.Al-Jazeera insists Australian correspondent Peter Greste, Egyptian-Canadian acting bureau chief Mohammed Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed were just doing their jobs. Mohamed Fawzy, an al-Jazeera colleague arrested at the same time, has since been released.
The charges against the trio have met with widespread condemnation, raising fears that the scope for criticism is growing increasingly narrow under Egypt's new military-backed government.The charges against the trio have met with widespread condemnation, raising fears that the scope for criticism is growing increasingly narrow under Egypt's new military-backed government.
On Monday a group of nearly 40 international correspondents from 29 media organisations appealed for an end to the trio's "arbitrary imprisonment", adding that the arrests had "cast a cloud over press and media freedom in Egypt". On Monday, a group of nearly 40 international correspondents from 29 media organisations appealed for an end to the trio's "arbitrary imprisonment", adding that the arrests had "cast a cloud over press and media freedom in Egypt".
The arrests signalled an escalation of the crackdown against voices critical of Egypt's military-backed government, in a week in which the Muslim Brotherhood was formally designated as a terrorist organisation and hundreds of its supporters arrested.The arrests signalled an escalation of the crackdown against voices critical of Egypt's military-backed government, in a week in which the Muslim Brotherhood was formally designated as a terrorist organisation and hundreds of its supporters arrested.
The Qatari-owned al-Jazeera network has faced mounting pressure from the Egyptian authorities since former president Mohamed Morsi was deposed in a military takeover on 3 July. Its Egyptian outlet, al-Jazeera Mubasher Misr, is one of the few remaining channels perceived as sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood.The Qatari-owned al-Jazeera network has faced mounting pressure from the Egyptian authorities since former president Mohamed Morsi was deposed in a military takeover on 3 July. Its Egyptian outlet, al-Jazeera Mubasher Misr, is one of the few remaining channels perceived as sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Qatar was a strong ally of the movement and is home to a number of its senior figures who left Egypt in order to escape the military-led authorities' dragnet of arrests.Qatar was a strong ally of the movement and is home to a number of its senior figures who left Egypt in order to escape the military-led authorities' dragnet of arrests.
Although employees of al-Jazeera Englishhad so far escaped arrest, a number of the network's other employees have been detained, including 25-year-old al-Jazeera Arabic correspondent Abdullah al-Shamy. Family members say the young man has been held in squalid conditions, a fate now faced by thousands of other detainees, mostly Morsi supporters, who have entered Egypt's overcrowded prisons since July. Although employees of al-Jazeera English had so far escaped arrest, a number of the network's other employees have been detained, including 25-year-old al-Jazeera Arabic correspondent Abdullah al-Shamy. Family members say the young man has been held in squalid conditions, a fate now faced by thousands of other detainees, mostly Morsi supporters, who have entered Egypt's overcrowded prisons since July.
In 2013, Egypt was among the most prolific jailers of journalists in the world, according to a survey by the Committee to Protect Journalists. Although press freedom temporarily increased following the ousting of President Mubarak in 2011, it grew increasingly tenuous during Morsi's year in office.In 2013, Egypt was among the most prolific jailers of journalists in the world, according to a survey by the Committee to Protect Journalists. Although press freedom temporarily increased following the ousting of President Mubarak in 2011, it grew increasingly tenuous during Morsi's year in office.
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