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Egyptian TV airs arrest of Al Jazeera reporters Egyptian TV airs arrest of Al Jazeera reporters
(35 minutes later)
CAIRO — A private Egyptian television channel has aired what it called exclusive footage of the December arrest and interrogation of two Al Jazeera English journalists, who are now being held in a high-security prison awaiting trial on terrorism-related charges.CAIRO — A private Egyptian television channel has aired what it called exclusive footage of the December arrest and interrogation of two Al Jazeera English journalists, who are now being held in a high-security prison awaiting trial on terrorism-related charges.
The 22-minute video, broadcast Sunday night by the satellite channel al-Tahrir, appeared to have been taken by police forces as they stormed the Qatar-owned global news network’s makeshift offices at the Marriott Hotel in an upmarket Cairo neighborhood Dec. 29. The police were acting on orders to detain the two reporters, who were accused of conspiring with “terrorists” to fabricate news for the network’s English-language service.The 22-minute video, broadcast Sunday night by the satellite channel al-Tahrir, appeared to have been taken by police forces as they stormed the Qatar-owned global news network’s makeshift offices at the Marriott Hotel in an upmarket Cairo neighborhood Dec. 29. The police were acting on orders to detain the two reporters, who were accused of conspiring with “terrorists” to fabricate news for the network’s English-language service.
Al Jazeera denounced the video in a statement Monday, describing it as an attempt to demonize its journalists and saying it could prejudice their trial.
The video offers a glimpse of the way Egypt’s military-backed authorities view the work of journalists, as well as the state’s efforts to drum up opposition to news agencies viewed as critical of the government.The video offers a glimpse of the way Egypt’s military-backed authorities view the work of journalists, as well as the state’s efforts to drum up opposition to news agencies viewed as critical of the government.
Since the military deposed President Mohamed Morsi last summer, authorities have presided over a harsh crackdown on his Islamist supporters but also on leftist activists and journalists. Egyptian media, both state-owned and private, have helped push the government’s narrative.Since the military deposed President Mohamed Morsi last summer, authorities have presided over a harsh crackdown on his Islamist supporters but also on leftist activists and journalists. Egyptian media, both state-owned and private, have helped push the government’s narrative.
Egyptians have denounced Al Jazeera English and its Arabic-language sister channel as mouthpieces for the Muslim Brotherhood, which was allied with Qatar during its brief time in power. The government here, installed following the July 3 coup against Morsi, recently labeled the Brotherhood a “terrorist organization.”Egyptians have denounced Al Jazeera English and its Arabic-language sister channel as mouthpieces for the Muslim Brotherhood, which was allied with Qatar during its brief time in power. The government here, installed following the July 3 coup against Morsi, recently labeled the Brotherhood a “terrorist organization.”
In a case that has drawn international condemnation, Egypt’s public prosecutor has charged 20 people — including the two journalists arrested in the video — with manipulating clips to assist the “terrorists” in falsely depicting Egypt as a country in the midst of a civil war. Rights groups have called the charges a blow to freedom of the press.In a case that has drawn international condemnation, Egypt’s public prosecutor has charged 20 people — including the two journalists arrested in the video — with manipulating clips to assist the “terrorists” in falsely depicting Egypt as a country in the midst of a civil war. Rights groups have called the charges a blow to freedom of the press.
“Where are your cameramen?” one security official, but who does not appear on camera, is heard asking Al Jazeera’s Canadian-Egyptian producer, Mohamed Fadel Fahmy.“Where are your cameramen?” one security official, but who does not appear on camera, is heard asking Al Jazeera’s Canadian-Egyptian producer, Mohamed Fadel Fahmy.
Fahmy is shown with his Australian colleague, Peter Greste, as police interrogate them at the hotel. Both are now detained at the Tora prison complex outside Cairo, where Fahmy is reportedly being held in an insect-infested cell in solitary confinement.Fahmy is shown with his Australian colleague, Peter Greste, as police interrogate them at the hotel. Both are now detained at the Tora prison complex outside Cairo, where Fahmy is reportedly being held in an insect-infested cell in solitary confinement.
“When was the last time you went to Qatar?” the interrogator asks.“When was the last time you went to Qatar?” the interrogator asks.
The footage has been theatrically set to the soundtrack of the sci-fi motion picture “Thor: The Dark World.” As the dramatic film score plays on, the cameraman filming the operation zooms in on items supposedly implicating the network and its journalists in conspiracy.The footage has been theatrically set to the soundtrack of the sci-fi motion picture “Thor: The Dark World.” As the dramatic film score plays on, the cameraman filming the operation zooms in on items supposedly implicating the network and its journalists in conspiracy.
Among the evidence documented in the recording were standard supplies for a news bureau, including Apple laptops, electrical cords and power strips, external hard drives, and even Greste’s business card.Among the evidence documented in the recording were standard supplies for a news bureau, including Apple laptops, electrical cords and power strips, external hard drives, and even Greste’s business card.
“When you film your interviews, how do you send them?” one police official asks Fahmy. “We found two devices; one connects through the Internet and one with a SIM card. Do you use them?”“When you film your interviews, how do you send them?” one police official asks Fahmy. “We found two devices; one connects through the Internet and one with a SIM card. Do you use them?”
Al Tahrir, the channel that aired the footage, was founded during Egypt’s 2011 uprising as an answer to pro-government networks. On Sunday, Al Tahrir described the video as exclusive footage of the “Marriott cell,” implying that the journalists were part of a militant organization.Al Tahrir, the channel that aired the footage, was founded during Egypt’s 2011 uprising as an answer to pro-government networks. On Sunday, Al Tahrir described the video as exclusive footage of the “Marriott cell,” implying that the journalists were part of a militant organization.
At one point in the recording, the camera gives viewers a lingering shot of one of the suite’s bathrooms and its toilet.At one point in the recording, the camera gives viewers a lingering shot of one of the suite’s bathrooms and its toilet.
“Video showing laptops, mobile phones and a flipped toilet seat as [a] den of espionage,” prominent Egyptian journalist, Shahira Amin, posted on Twitter on Monday after watching the video.“Video showing laptops, mobile phones and a flipped toilet seat as [a] den of espionage,” prominent Egyptian journalist, Shahira Amin, posted on Twitter on Monday after watching the video.
“#Egypt hysteria,” she wrote.“#Egypt hysteria,” she wrote.
Sharaf al-Hourani contributed to this report.Sharaf al-Hourani contributed to this report.