Following today\u2019s verdict in Cairo, Al Jazeera English managing director Al Anstey said:<\/p>\n
\u201cToday three colleagues and friends were sentenced, and will continue behind bars for doing a brilliant job of being great journalists. \u00a0‘Guilty’ of covering stories with great skill and integrity.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u201cNot a shred of evidence\u201d against journalists<\/i><\/p>\n
\u2022\u201cWe will continue with resolve until Peter, Baher and Mohammed are free\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
‘Guilty’ of defending people\u2019s right to know what is going on in their world.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeter, Mohamed, and Baher and six of our other colleagues were sentenced despite the fact that not a shred of evidence was found to support the extraordinary and false charges against them. \u00a0At no point during the long, drawn-out ‘trial’ did the absurd allegations stand up to scrutiny. \u00a0There were many moments during the hearings where in any other court of law, the trial would be thrown out. \u00a0There were numerous irregularities in addition to the lack of evidence to stand up the ill-conceived allegations.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no justification whatsoever in the detention of our three colleagues for even one minute. \u00a0To have detained them for 177 days is an outrage. \u00a0To have sentenced them defies logic, sense, and any semblance of justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support shown for Mohamed, Peter, and Baher has been loud, unified, and determined, and has come from every corner of the world. \u00a0The call for their freedom has come from journalists, people right around the globe, as well as leaders worldwide. \u00a0This great solidarity is a stand for basic freedoms – the freedom of speech, for the right for people to be informed, and for the right for journalists around the world to be able to do their job. \u00a0And, of course, a demand to free our colleagues.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is only one sensible outcome now. \u00a0For the verdict to be overturned, and justice to be recognised by Egypt. \u00a0We must keep our voice loud to call for an end to their detention. \u00a0Alongside us is a worldwide solidarity, a global call for their release, and a demand for basic freedoms to be respected. \u00a0The authorities in Egypt need to take responsibility for their actions, and be held to account by the global community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue with resolve and determination until Baher, Peter, and Mohamed are free and safely reunited with their families.\u201d<\/p>\n