This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/24/egypt-al-jazeera-journalists-trial

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Egypt has no evidence against us, says detained al-Jazeera journalist Egypt has no evidence against us, says detained al-Jazeera journalist
(about 17 hours later)
The case against three al-Jazeera journalists in Egypt has yet to produce a shred of evidence, one of the trio claimed during their trial's latest instalment on Monday.The case against three al-Jazeera journalists in Egypt has yet to produce a shred of evidence, one of the trio claimed during their trial's latest instalment on Monday.
Peter Greste, an Australian former BBC reporter, is on trial with Mohamed Fahmy, formerly of CNN, and Baher Mohamed, a local producer, for allegedly smearing Egypt's reputation, doctoring footage and aiding terrorists – charges they call absurd. A fourth al-Jazeera reporter, Abdullah Elshamy, is yet to be charged in a separate case.Peter Greste, an Australian former BBC reporter, is on trial with Mohamed Fahmy, formerly of CNN, and Baher Mohamed, a local producer, for allegedly smearing Egypt's reputation, doctoring footage and aiding terrorists – charges they call absurd. A fourth al-Jazeera reporter, Abdullah Elshamy, is yet to be charged in a separate case.
In their third appearance in court on Monday, the trio's lawyers repeatedly asked state investigators whether they could specify how exactly the journalists had either doctored footage or harmed Egypt's national security. Investigators were asked to clarify which pieces of broadcast equipment it was alleged the journalists lacked licences to use.In their third appearance in court on Monday, the trio's lawyers repeatedly asked state investigators whether they could specify how exactly the journalists had either doctored footage or harmed Egypt's national security. Investigators were asked to clarify which pieces of broadcast equipment it was alleged the journalists lacked licences to use.
In almost every response the investigators said they could not remember and deferred to their written testimonies made at the time of the journalists' arrests in late December.In almost every response the investigators said they could not remember and deferred to their written testimonies made at the time of the journalists' arrests in late December.
Greste said during a recess: "They seem to be suffering from collective amnesia. We have not seen a single shred of evidence – we have spent three months in prison based on substantiated allegations and conjecture by people who do not understand what [journalists] do. We are gratified by the collapse of the prosecution's case." Greste said during a recess: "They seem to be suffering from collective amnesia. We have not seen a single shred of evidence – we have spent three months in prison based on unsubstantiated allegations and conjecture by people who do not understand what [journalists] do. We are gratified by the collapse of the prosecution's case."
In one memorable exchange, Fahmy's lawyer asked a prosecution witness: "Is it a crime to ask someone for their opinion, and then to transmit it? Or is that just journalism?"In one memorable exchange, Fahmy's lawyer asked a prosecution witness: "Is it a crime to ask someone for their opinion, and then to transmit it? Or is that just journalism?"
Al-Jazeera's Arabic channel is detested by opponents of Egypt's ousted president Mohamed Morsi for devoting much of its airtime to Morsi supporters – although Fahmy was later keen to emphasise the neutrality of the channel's English offshoot, for which he, Greste and Mohamed worked.Al-Jazeera's Arabic channel is detested by opponents of Egypt's ousted president Mohamed Morsi for devoting much of its airtime to Morsi supporters – although Fahmy was later keen to emphasise the neutrality of the channel's English offshoot, for which he, Greste and Mohamed worked.
The trio appeared upbeat about a pair of letters sent to Fahmy and Greste's families this week by Egypt's interim president, Adly Mansour. The letters appeared to indicate that the president wanted the trial to end as soon as possible. "It's an expression from the president that we will be free and we didn't do anything wrong," Fahmy said.The trio appeared upbeat about a pair of letters sent to Fahmy and Greste's families this week by Egypt's interim president, Adly Mansour. The letters appeared to indicate that the president wanted the trial to end as soon as possible. "It's an expression from the president that we will be free and we didn't do anything wrong," Fahmy said.
During a recess, Fahmy – a dual Canadian-Egyptian national – showed reporters that he could barely move his arm. He has said he was denied proper treatment in prison for more than two months for a shoulder injury suffered before his arrest. According to Fahmy, warders laughed off his injury, telling him "it's OK because I'm a journalist and I only need to type. They always try to degrade us."During a recess, Fahmy – a dual Canadian-Egyptian national – showed reporters that he could barely move his arm. He has said he was denied proper treatment in prison for more than two months for a shoulder injury suffered before his arrest. According to Fahmy, warders laughed off his injury, telling him "it's OK because I'm a journalist and I only need to type. They always try to degrade us."
Fahmy requested bail to receive better medical care, while Mohamed expressed a desire to be with his pregnant wife during an upcoming scan. But bail was again denied. The trial resumes on 31 March.Fahmy requested bail to receive better medical care, while Mohamed expressed a desire to be with his pregnant wife during an upcoming scan. But bail was again denied. The trial resumes on 31 March.
• This article was amended on 25 March 2014. A quote from Peter Greste originally stated: "… we have spent three months in prison based on substantiated allegations and conjecture …". It should have said unsubstantiated allegations. This has been corrected.