2013–2015 detention of Al Jazeera journalists by Egypt

2013–2015 arrest and detention of Al Jazeera English journalists 2013 12 29 – 2015 09 23 (12 29 2013 09 23 2015) Cairo Marriott Hotel Cairo, Egypt "the Marriot cell"; by Egyptian authorities Presidential Pardon AUS Peter GresteDeported to Australia on 1 Feb 2015 EGY Baher MohammedPardoned by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on 23 Sep 2015 EGYCAN Mohamed FahmyPardoned by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on 23 Sep 2015 reporting false news, connections with the Muslim Brotherhood (later overturned) reporting false news (convicted but later overturned) Guilty on 2 counts (23 June 2014; later overturned) Guilty on 1 count (29 August 2015; charges cleared on 23 September 2015) GBR Royal Television Society award (19 February 2015) As of 23 September 2015, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were pardoned by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and had their charges overturned while Peter Greste's charges have not yet been overturned since being released and deported to Australia on 1 February 2015. On December 29, 2013, three journalists who were working for the Qatari-based international news channel Al Jazeera English, Australian Peter Greste, Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, were taken into custody by Egyptian security forces at the Marriott Hotel in Cairo following a raid at their room, which was used for the news channel's remote studio. The Egyptian Interior Ministry confirmed the arrest and said the journalists were accused of reporting news which was "damaging to national security".https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25546389 Egypt crisis: Al-Jazeera journalists arrested in Cairo BBC News 30 December 2013 On June 23, 2014, after a four-month trial, all three were found guilty and were sentenced to between 7 and 10 years of imprisonment, triggering harsh criticism from various governments and human rights organizations. A day later, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared that he would not interfere with judicial rulings.Egypt's president says will not interfere in judicial rulings https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-jazeera-sisi-idUSKBN0EZ0S520140624 24 June 2014 Reuters In February 2015, Greste was released from prison and deported back to Australia via Cyprus, while the other two journalists were released on bail, pending a new trial. After the retrial, the reporters were again found guilty and sentenced to between 3 and 3.5 years of imprisonment. A month later, they were released from prison following a presidential pardon issued by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/al-jazeera-journalists-pardoned-egypt-150923112113189.html Al Jazeera journalists freed from Egypt prison 2013 arrest 150px|thumbnail|right|Peter Greste in 2012 Australian journalist Peter Greste and his colleagues Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were arrested on 29 December 2013 at the Cairo Marriott Hotel after the police conducted a raid at their room, which was used as their makeshift news studio. The Egyptian Interior Ministry confirmed the arrest and said the journalists were accused of reporting false news which was "damaging to national security". Following their arrest, Greste and his colleagues were imprisoned in Egypt in solitary confinement for a month before any formal charges were made.Peter Greste https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/25/peter-greste-letters-prison-egypt Peter Greste's letters from Egyptian jail The Guardian 25 January 2014 On 29 January 2014, it emerged that the Egyptian authorities were to charge 20 journalists belonging to Al Jazeera, including Greste, of falsifying news and having a negative impact on overseas perceptions of the country.Patrick Kingsley https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/29/egypt-to-charge-20-al-jazeera-journalists-damaging-countrys-reputation Egypt to charge al-Jazeera journalists with damaging country's reputation The Guardian 29 January 2014 On the same day, all three were charged with: Being members of a terrorist organisation, as the Egyptian government has designated the Muslim Brotherhood on December 25, 2013 Aiding and funding the group Broadcasting false news and reports of civil strife in Egypt Operating without licenses2015-01-01 Retrial in Egypt al-Jazeera Greste, Fahmy and Mohamed case en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-30647732 2022-01-31 The three men were being held in the same cell in early February 2014.Paul Farrell https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/feb/06/peter-greste-and-two-al-jazeera-colleagues-moved-to-same-cell Peter Greste and two al-Jazeera colleagues moved to same cell The Guardian 5 February 2014 The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged the authorities in Egypt to "promptly release" the Al Jazeera staff.Australian Associated Press https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/01/un-urges-egypt-to-release-foreign-journalists-including-peter-greste UN urges Egypt to release foreign journalists, including Peter Greste The Guardian 1 February 2014 2014 trial and sentencing On 21 February 2014, Greste was denied bail and had his court case adjourned until 5 March 2014.Egyptian court adjourns trial of Australian journalist Peter Greste http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-21/egyptian-court-adjourns-trial-of-aust-journalist-peter-greste/5274024 21 February 2014 ABC News On 31 March 2014, he and co-defendants Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed made a request to a judge during a hearing to be released.https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/03/31/canadian_journalist_asks_egyptian_judge_to_free_him_i_ask_for_acquittal.html Canadian journalist asks Egyptian judge to free him: 'I ask for acquittal' Toronto Star 30 April 2014 23 June 2014 During the hearing Greste told the judge: "The idea that I could have an association with the Muslim Brotherhood is frankly preposterous." On paper, Fahmy has been described as the "ring-leader" of the "terrorist cell". Hundreds of so-called fabricated videos considered as evidence confiscated from the Al Jazeera English hard-disk were listed against him personally. Most of these allegedly fabricated videos were filmed in the past three years before Fahmy worked for Al Jazeera when he was still reporting for CNN in Cairo.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/24/six-flaws-case-against-three-jailed-al-jazeera-journalists-greste-fahmy-mohamed The Guardian Six flaws in the case against three jailed al-Jazeera journalists June 24, 2014 August 29, 2015 The investigation states that he prepared a "media center" in the hotel where he held meetings with Muslim Brotherhood leaders and recruited students to gather news.http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/world/meast/egypt-al-jazeera-journalists/ CNN January 13, 2014 August 29, 2015 International media demand that Egypt release detained journalists But Fahmy testified in court that he was personally a liberal who marched as a private citizen in protests to support President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi against the Muslim Brotherhood.https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/world/middleeast/journalists-deny-ties-to-muslim-brotherhood-in-egypt.html The New York Times 3 Jailed Journalists Deny Ties to Brotherhood in Egypt March 29, 2014 August 29, 2015 Prominent Egyptian figures like Amr Moussa, the former head of the Arab League, and telecommunication mogul and billionaire Naguib Sawiris attested to Fahmy's integrity in court and confirmed he has no affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood.http://muftah.org/things-egypt-get-much-worse/ Muftah Could Things in Egypt Get Much Worse? November 11, 2014 August 29, 2015http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/22/world/egypt-al-jazeera-journalists-trial/ Business tycoon testifies in favor of Al Jazeera journalist CNN April 22, 2015 August 29, 2015 Egyptian scientist Farouk El-Baz who worked on the United States space program also supported Fahmy in a letter submitted to the judge. Mr. Sawiris even took his fury further and released a video calling on Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release Fahmy.Sawiris calls for release of AJ journalist http://www.thecairopost.com/news/124071/news/sawiris-calls-for-release-of-aj-journalist https://web.archive.org/web/20140905033540/http://thecairopost.com/news/124071/news/sawiris-calls-for-release-of-aj-journalist dead September 5, 2014 Youm7 The Cairo Post Mohamed Fahmy's international lawyer Amal Clooney, hired in his own capacity and not through Al Jazeera Media Network, called the judicial process a "show-trial" in her Huffington Post Article "The Anatomy of an Unfair Trial".Alamuddin Amal Anatomy of an Unfair Trial http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Amal-Alamuddin/egypt-unfair-trial_b_5688388.html The Huffington Post 18 August 2014 She released several statements calling on the Egyptians to release her client and urged the Qatari government and Al Jazeera to take positive steps to support his freedom and refrain from actions that hinder his cause.A. Clooney M Wassouf Press Statement by A Clooney and M Wassouf – Mr Mohamed Fahmy http://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/article/press-statement-by-a-clooney-and-m-wassouf-mr-mohamed-fahmy1 Doughty Street Chambers 24 November 2014 On 23 June 2014, all three were found guilty of the charges against them. Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years imprisonment. Mohamed received a sentence of seven years imprisonment plus an additional three years for bullet possession which he picked up during a demonstration.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-23/peter-greste-found-guilty/5543292 Peter Greste trial: Al Jazeera journalist found guilty Australia 23 June 2014 ABC Online 23 June 2014 International reactions were swift and negative. US Secretary of State John Kerry was highly critical of the sentences of Greste and his co-workers, terming them "chilling and draconian" and noted that he had spoken to Egyptian governmental officials including President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi.Egypt trial: Outcry over al-Jazeera trio's sentencing https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27982732 BBC News 23 June 2014 23 June 2014 Al-Sisi however was unmoved. A day after the trial and amidst the widespread international condemnation, the Egyptian president declared that he would not interfere with judicial rulings. Greste and his colleagues were seen internationally as political prisoners due to the nature of the trial, the lack of applicable evidence presented and the sentences.Egypt's press freedom on retrial http://www.dw.de/egypts-press-freedom-on-retrial/a-18166903 Deutsche Welle 2 January 2015 Eleven defendants tried in absentia, including three foreign journalists, received 10-year sentences. International reactions to the 2014 verdict Non-governmental organisations Human Rights Watch called the trial a "miscarriage of justice based on zero evidence".Omar Ali Al-Jazeera ruling 'disturbing sign for the future of the Egyptian press': Rights groups http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/06/24/al-jazeera-ruling-disturbing-sign-future-egyptian-press-rights-groups/ Daily News Egypt 19 October 2015 23 June 2014 PEN American Center criticized the ruling and stated: "The conviction, drawing on a trial devoid of any credible evidence against the accused, demonstrates a blatant disregard for the universally guaranteed right to free expression." By country Australia: Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop said that she was "bitterly disappointed" by the outcome. United Kingdom: British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "completely appalled" and the UK Foreign Office has summoned the Egyptian ambassador in London over the guilty verdicts. Two of the journalists convicted in absentia are also British.Egypt sentences al-Jazeera trio to at least seven years' jail https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27972181 BBC News 19 October 2015 23 June 2014 United States: Secretary of State John Kerry was highly critical of the sentences of Greste and his co-workers, terming them "chilling and draconian" and noted he had spoken to Egyptian governmental officials including President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. 2015 re-trial and sentencing The trio stood trial on January 1, 2015, before the Cairo Court Of Cassation.Al Jazeera http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/10/egypt-sets-appeal-date-al-jazeera-staff-20141021145925423577.html Egypt sets appeal date for Al Jazeera staff January 1, 2015 October 22, 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150104043521/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/10/egypt-sets-appeal-date-al-jazeera-staff-20141021145925423577.html January 4, 2015 The court ordered a retrial for Fahmy and his two colleagues, while keeping them in custody as their request to release on bail was denied.Peter Greste: Appeals court in Egypt orders retrial in case of Australian journalist http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-01/egyptian-court-orders-retrial-for-journalist-peter-greste/5996282 Australian Broadcasting Corporation January 1, 2015 January 1, 2015 An Egyptian appeals court has ordered a retrial in the case of Australian journalist Peter Greste and two of his Al Jazeera colleagues. On 29 August 2015 - after a 9-month-long trial, Fahmy was sentenced to three years in prison, Mohamed was sentenced to 3 1 2 years in prison and fined £E5,000 ($640), and Greste was sentenced in absentia to three years in prison at a sentencing hearing in Cairo. Following the verdict, Judge Hassan Farid said the accused broadcast "false news ... with the aim of harming the country". From his home country of Australia, Greste said he would be unable to travel to Egypt or any country with an extradition treaty with Egypt if an international arrest warrant for him was issued.http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/29/middleeast/egypt-al-jazeera-journalists-trial/ Egyptian court sentences 3 Al Jazeera journalists to prison CNN August 29, 2015 August 29, 2015 Furthermore, Greste said in a tweet that he was "shocked" and "outraged" about the verdict.Al-Jazeera trial: Egypt gives journalists three-year sentence BBC News 29 August 2015 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34095341 3 September 2015 International reactions to the 2015 verdict Non-governmental organisations Amnesty International called the verdict "farcical" and urged the Egyptian judiciary to overturn it.Egypt: Guilty verdict against Al Jazeera journalists affront to justice https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/08/egypt-guilty-verdict-against-al-jazeera-journalists-affront-to-justice/ Amnesty International 19 October 2015 29 August 2015 By country Australia: Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop said that she was "dismayed by the decision" and adding that she "will continue to pursue all diplomatic avenues" to overturn the sentence.Mohamed Hamza World reacts to Al Jazeera journalists' jail sentences http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/world-reacts-al-jazeera-journalists-jail-sentences-150829084952361.html Al Jazeera English Al Jazeera 19 October 2015 29 August 2015 Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten condemned the verdict and added that he stands in solidarity with imprisoned journalists in Egypt and rest of the world. Canada: The Canadian government condemned the verdict as "disappointing". Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper tweeted that Canada continues to call on Egypt for the immediate and full release of Mr. Fahmy, and full co-operation to facilitate his return home. Leader of the Opposition, Thomas Mulcair condemned the verdict and has called for Prime Minister Harper to seek a guarantee from Egyptian President al-Sisi that Mohamed Fahmy will be pardoned & returned to CanadaSibley Robert 'Disappointed' Conservative government demands 'immediate return' of Mohamed Fahmy to Canada https://nationalpost.com/news/world/disappointed-conservative-government-demands-immediate-return-of-fahmy-to-canada National Post 19 October 2015 31 August 2015 Release On February 1, 2015, Greste was deported to Australia via Cyprus. The presidential decree that allows the deportation of foreigners stipulates that they face prison or trial in their home country, but Australia is unlikely to uphold Greste's conviction.https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/02/world/africa/egypt-releases-and-deportsal-jazeera-journalist-from-australia.html?_r=0 Egypt Deports Peter Greste, Journalist Jailed with 2 al Jazeera Colleagues The New York Times February 2015 Kirkpatrick David D. Otherwise, no explanation was given for his release.Egypt Deports Peter Greste, Journalist Jailed With 2 Al Jazeera Colleagues (Published 2015) The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/02/world/africa/egypt-releases-and-deportsal-jazeera-journalist-from-australia.html?rref=homepage&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Home%20Page&pgtype=article Two days later, Fahmy renounced his Egyptian citizenship so he could be deported to Canada.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/02/al-jazeera-fahmy-renounces-egyptian-citizenship-150203090520962.html Al Jazeera's Fahmy renounces Egyptian citizenship February 3, 2015 August 29, 2015 Al Jazeera His request was still pending at the time of the sentencing in August.http://www.thewhig.com/2015/08/29/canadian-journalist-mohammed-fahmy-sentenced-to-3-years-in-prison Canadian journalist Mohammed Fahmy sentenced to 3 years in prison The Kingston Whig-Standard August 29, 2015 August 29, 2015 On February 12, Fahmy and Mohamed were released on bail of £E250,000 ($33,000) with strict conditions.Al Jazeera trial: Egypt court frees journalists on bail https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-31435436 BBC After the judge handed down sentences in August, they were taken back into custody. Fahmy's lawyer, Amal Clooney, said she would meet with Egyptian government officials to ask for her client to be deported to Canada. On September 23, 2015, Fahmy and Mohamed were released from prison after Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi issued a pardon on 100 activists including the Al Jazeera journalists, which was announced on his Facebook page. This marks the occasion of Eid al-Adha and the President's visit to the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly which will take place later this week. The Al Jazeera Media Network has welcomed their release but continues to demand all charges and sentences against its journalists are dropped. After release Fahmy traveled back to Canada, where he took a role as a journalist in residence at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia. Honours On February 19, 2015, the three detained reporters won a special Royal Television Society award for their sacrifices to journalism. Greste accepted the award in London for the three.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2015/02/al-jazeera-awarded-british-television-prize-150219045105924.html Al Jazeera 'three' awarded British television prize Lawsuit against Al Jazeera On May 5, 2015, Mohamed Fahmy filed a lawsuit against Al Jazeera for C$100 million (US$75.3 million) in punitive and remedial damages for alleged negligence and breach of contract. He accused the network of "negligence" by misinforming him about its legal status and their safety in Egypt.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32694739 Journalist Fahmy to sue Al-Jazeera for Egypt 'negligence' 11 May 2015 BBC Cairo 13 May 2015http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-egypt-aljazeera-idUKKBN0NW1GN20150511 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103120/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-egypt-aljazeera-idUKKBN0NW1GN20150511 dead December 22, 2015 Al Jazeera journalist sues employer for negligence – lawyer Stephen Kalin Yara Bayoumy Michael Georgy Larry King amp 11 May 2015 Reuters Cairo 13 May 2015 See also Al Jazeera controversies and criticism Mahmoud Hussein Jason Rezaian References 30em Category:Human rights abuses in Egypt Category:Egyptian Crisis (2011–2014) Category:Freedom of speech in Egypt Category:2013 in Egypt Category:2014 in Egypt Category:2015 in Egypt Category:Al Jazeera