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Al-Jazeera trio get seven years jail Egypt sentences Al-Jazeera trio to at least seven years jail
(35 minutes later)
Three al-Jazeera journalists accused of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood have been jailed for seven years in Egypt.Three al-Jazeera journalists accused of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood have been jailed for seven years in Egypt.
A court in Cairo convicted Peter Greste, Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed of spreading false news and supporting the banned Islamist group. The trio had denied the charges. A court in Cairo convicted Peter Greste, Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed of spreading false news and supporting the now banned Islamist group. The trio had denied the charges.
Nine defendants tried in absentia, including three foreign journalists, received 10-year sentences.Nine defendants tried in absentia, including three foreign journalists, received 10-year sentences.
The trial has caused an international outcry amid claims it is politicised.The trial has caused an international outcry amid claims it is politicised.
Earlier, the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott made a direct appeal to Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi for the release of Mr Greste, a former BBC correspondent. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told reporters on Monday she was "bitterly disappointed" by the outcome.
"I simply cannot understand how a court could come to this conclusion," she said.
Correspondents say evidence put forward earlier in court did nothing to support the serious charges brought.
The judge was shown photographs from Mr Greste's family holiday, a Sky Arabia report on cruelty to horses and a video of a press conference in Nairobi.
The three al-Jazeera journalists, who have been detained in Egypt for the past six months, were each sentenced to seven years in jail.The three al-Jazeera journalists, who have been detained in Egypt for the past six months, were each sentenced to seven years in jail.
Mr Mohamed sentenced to a further three years in jail on a separate charge involving possession of weapons.Mr Mohamed sentenced to a further three years in jail on a separate charge involving possession of weapons.
Growing media restrictions In a statement, al-Jazeera English's managing director Al Anstey said the sentence "defies logic, sense, and any semblance of justice".
Al-Jazeera has said only nine of the 20 defendants are its employees. The three men are expected to appeal.
The others are reportedly students and activists, two of whom were acquitted in Monday's verdict. Al-Jazeera has said only nine of the 20 defendants are its employees. The others are reportedly students and activists, two of whom were acquitted in Monday's verdict.
It comes amid concerns over growing media restrictions in Egypt.It comes amid concerns over growing media restrictions in Egypt.
Mr Greste's brother Andrew Greste said he was "surprised" by verdict, and that he had been assured all along by the authorities that the Egyptian judiciary is independent.
Al-Jazeera trial
Who are the al-Jazeera journalists on trial in Egypt?
Mr Fahmy and Mr Mohamed were among 16 Egyptians charged with belonging to a terrorist organisation and "harming national unity".Mr Fahmy and Mr Mohamed were among 16 Egyptians charged with belonging to a terrorist organisation and "harming national unity".
Mr Greste and three other journalists who have left the country - British al-Jazeera reporters Dominic Kane and Sue Turton, and the Dutch newspaper and radio journalist Rena Netjes - were accused of "collaborating with the Egyptians by providing them with money, equipment, information", and "airing false news".Mr Greste and three other journalists who have left the country - British al-Jazeera reporters Dominic Kane and Sue Turton, and the Dutch newspaper and radio journalist Rena Netjes - were accused of "collaborating with the Egyptians by providing them with money, equipment, information", and "airing false news".
The Qatar-based network al-Jazeera is banned from operating inside Egypt after the authorities accused it of broadcasting reports sympathetic to former President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Jazeera has consistently denied the allegations.The Qatar-based network al-Jazeera is banned from operating inside Egypt after the authorities accused it of broadcasting reports sympathetic to former President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Jazeera has consistently denied the allegations.
Qatar has supported the Brotherhood and is unpopular with Egypt's government.Qatar has supported the Brotherhood and is unpopular with Egypt's government.
'Vindictive persecution'
Earlier, the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott made a direct appeal to Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi for the release of Mr Greste, a former BBC correspondent.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, visiting Cairo over the weekend, said he spoke to Egyptian officials about "the essential role of a vibrant civil society, free press, rule of law and due process in a democracy".
Earlier this month, another Al-Jazeera journalist, Abdullah Elshamy, was released on medical grounds.
Rights group Amnesty International has previously described the trial as a "vindictive persecution of journalists for merely doing their jobs".
"The journalists appear to be pawns in the hands of the authorities in their ongoing dispute with Qatar," they said.
Egypt's authorities have cracked down harshly on Islamists and secular activists since Mr Morsi was removed by the military in July 2013.
Hundreds have been killed and thousands arrested.