Egypt’s President Says Jailing Journalists ‘Had Very Negative Consequences’
In remarks today to the Egyptian press, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed regret over the jailing of three Al Jazeera journalists last month.
“The verdict issued against a number of journalists had very negative consequences,” said al-Sisi. “I wish they were deported after their arrest, instead of being put on trial.”
The comment raised hopes for the families of Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy, who were sentenced to 7 year in prison, and Baher Mohamed who was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The charges were aiding the Muslim Brotherhood and the reporting of “false news stories” in the aftermath of a coup against the Brotherhood-backed president, Mohamed Morsi.
Greste is an Australian, while Fahmy has dual Canadian-Egyptian citizenship. Three more years were added to Egyptian national Baher Mohamed’s sentence for possessing ammunition because of a spent casing he claimed he picked up in Cairo after a demonstration.
Evidence against the journalists included a music video by Austrian singer Gotye, Greste’s holiday photos from Germany, a BBC report about Somalia and a film about an Egyptian horse sanctuary.
Al-Sisi’s comments raised hopes for the families of three reporters that perhaps the international outcry against the sentences will lead to a Presidential pardon
“I’m sure images of Peter in the cage in the court are not images Egypt really wants distributed around the world,” Peter’s brother Andrew Greste said from his home Brisbane. “The publicity they’re getting out of this I’m sure is not the publicity any country would want … I’d like to think that there’s … an amicable solution.”
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By: Eric Trommater
A liberal living in Northern Virginia. Father of Two great kids. Former sports writer and movie critic.
16 responses to Egypt’s President Says Jailing Journalists ‘Had Very Negative Consequences’
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Eric Trommater July 7th, 2014 at 20:59
I have been following these cases since last December and I still haven’t figured out how this video was used as evidence in their trial. Anyone who knows please leave it in the replies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY
Eric Trommater July 7th, 2014 at 20:59
I have been following these cases since last December and I still haven’t figured out how this video was used as evidence in their trial. Anyone who knows please leave it in the replies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY
neworleans878 July 7th, 2014 at 21:32
This guy is like the thief isn’t sorry he did the crime, but is very, very sorry he got caught.
Eric Trommater July 7th, 2014 at 21:39
He does seem rather cold about the affair. Almost as if they were dogs being sent to the pound instead of human beings losing years of their life in prison.
nola878 July 7th, 2014 at 21:32
This guy is like the thief isn’t sorry he did the crime, but is very, very sorry he got caught.
Eric Trommater July 7th, 2014 at 21:39
He does seem rather cold about the affair. Almost as if they were dogs being sent to the pound instead of human beings losing years of their life in prison.
Eric Trommater July 7th, 2014 at 21:40
Ralph Emmerson left this on Facebook in https://www.facebook.com/groups/WarrenFanClub/721887407871381/?comment_id=721915454535243¬if_t=group_comment
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=619178908189471&set=p.619178908189471&type=1&theater
Eric Trommater July 7th, 2014 at 21:40
Ralph Emmerson left this on Facebook in https://www.facebook.com/groups/WarrenFanClub/721887407871381/?comment_id=721915454535243¬if_t=group_comment
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=619178908189471&set=p.619178908189471&type=1&theater
Anomaly 100 July 7th, 2014 at 22:15
So this genius actually connected the dots?
Eric Trommater July 7th, 2014 at 22:31
It’s a typical Mid-East pissing match. Al Jazeera’s owners are Qatari and Egypt and Qatar are rivals over oil fields and each one wants to stick it to the other so Qatar is backing Muslim Brotherhood organization in Egypt and these 3 journalists are basically being used as leverage. It’s like the Mafia over without the pasta and tomato sauce.
Anomaly 100 July 7th, 2014 at 22:37
B..b..but I like pasta.
Eric Trommater July 7th, 2014 at 22:51
Do you think al-Sisi was made fun of for his name as a child and his brutal suppression tactics are a way of . . . . I’m just throwing this out there . . . not wanting to be called a sissy?
Anomaly 100 July 7th, 2014 at 22:15
So this genius actually connected the dots?
Eric Trommater July 7th, 2014 at 22:31
It’s a typical Mid-East pissing match. Al Jazeera’s owners are Qatari and Egypt and Qatar are rivals over oil fields and each one wants to stick it to the other so Qatar is backing Muslim Brotherhood organization in Egypt and these 3 journalists are basically being used as leverage. It’s like the Mafia without the pasta and tomato sauce.
Anomaly 100 July 7th, 2014 at 22:37
B..b..but I like pasta.
Eric Trommater July 7th, 2014 at 22:51
I love lamp.