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Al-Jazeera trial: Defendants denounce 'joke' hearing | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Three al-Jazeera journalists have denounced as a "joke" the latest hearing in their trial on terrorism charges in Egypt. | |
On Thursday, prosecutors presented as evidence footage allegedly filmed by the defendants, including wildlife scenes and news conference. | |
The men, including ex-BBC reporter Peter Greste, have been held since December. They deny the charges. | The men, including ex-BBC reporter Peter Greste, have been held since December. They deny the charges. |
The case has been condemned by rights groups and media around the world. | |
The three journalists - producer Baher Mohamed and Al-Jazeera English's Canadian-Egyptian bureau chief Mohamed Fadel Fahmy - are among 20 people facing similar charges. Only eight are currently in custody, while the remaining 12 are being tried in absentia. | |
Another man on trial with the three journalists - a student who has been on hunger strike for two weeks - passed out in court. | |
A fourth al-Jazeera reporter, Abdullah al-Shami, who works for the network's Arabic channel, has been detained since August but not charged. | A fourth al-Jazeera reporter, Abdullah al-Shami, who works for the network's Arabic channel, has been detained since August but not charged. |
Mr Shami is on hunger strike and his wife says his health is deteriorating. | Mr Shami is on hunger strike and his wife says his health is deteriorating. |
'Like a sit-com' | 'Like a sit-com' |
The BBC's Orla Guerin, who was in court, says none of the videos shown at the hearing appeared to have any link to the case. | The BBC's Orla Guerin, who was in court, says none of the videos shown at the hearing appeared to have any link to the case. |
There were several stories from Sky News's Arabic channel - including, bizarrely, a report on animal welfare in Egypt, our correspondent says. | There were several stories from Sky News's Arabic channel - including, bizarrely, a report on animal welfare in Egypt, our correspondent says. |
Material from Peter Greste's laptop was examined, including a news conference from Kenya, a documentary he made in Somalia and some of his parents' holiday photos. | Material from Peter Greste's laptop was examined, including a news conference from Kenya, a documentary he made in Somalia and some of his parents' holiday photos. |
AFP news agency said the judge told prosecutors the footage from Kenya had "nothing to do with this case". | |
From inside their cages in court, Mr Greste shouted that the trial was a mockery and an embarrassment for Egypt. | From inside their cages in court, Mr Greste shouted that the trial was a mockery and an embarrassment for Egypt. |
Outside court, Peter Greste's brother Mike told the BBC the trial was "like a TV sit-com". He said it would be funny if Peter Greste and his colleagues had not been in jail for more than 100 days. | |
The judge ordered the prison authorities to allow more family visits and said other student defendants on trial with them should get access to their books. | |
The trial was adjourned until 22 April. | |
New arrest | |
Egyptian authorities accuse the al-Jazeera journalists of aiding the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, which has been banned as a terrorist group. | |
The defendants' detention has been criticised by human rights groups including Amnesty International, which has described them as "prisoners of conscience" and called for their immediate and unconditional release. | The defendants' detention has been criticised by human rights groups including Amnesty International, which has described them as "prisoners of conscience" and called for their immediate and unconditional release. |
On Wednesday, in a separate development, another journalist, who had previously worked for al-Jazeera, was arrested in Egypt | On Wednesday, in a separate development, another journalist, who had previously worked for al-Jazeera, was arrested in Egypt |
Abdel-Rahman Shaheen, who was detained in the Suez Canal area, is accused of taking part and inciting attacks against police, the country's state news agency Mena said. | Abdel-Rahman Shaheen, who was detained in the Suez Canal area, is accused of taking part and inciting attacks against police, the country's state news agency Mena said. |
The report also identified him as a journalist who worked for the Brotherhood's now-banned newspaper and television station. |