Egypt's sentencing of three Al Jazeera journalists to prison on terrorism-related charges was met with international condemnation on Monday.
Baher Mohammed, Mohammed Fahmy and Peter Greste were given terms of between seven and ten years in prison. As the Associated Press put it, the lawyers prosecuting them "provided little evidence" to back up their claims that they were aiding terrorism in their reporting.
The outrage at the verdict came from all corners of the globe. It came from journalists:
A pathetic disgrace. #Egypt sentences 3 Al Jazeera journalists to 7 years in prison.
— Ayman Mohyeldin (@AymanM) June 23, 2014
This ruling means that journalism is a crime in Egypt #FreeAJStaff
— Sharif Kouddous (@sharifkouddous) June 23, 2014
Horrendous: 7 Al-Jazeera journalists imprisoned for 7 years in Egypt. Yet still Western governments back this repressive regime #FreeAJStaff
— Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) June 23, 2014
Egypt is now a country where a journalist can be sentenced to 7 years in jail for doing their job. Disgusting. #freeajstaff #ajtrial
— Sophia Jones (@Sophia_MJones) June 23, 2014
Shameful verdict in Al Jazeera journalists' trial in Egypt. http://t.co/e3RDiMzwnn #AJTrial
— Jeffrey Toobin (@JeffreyToobin) June 23, 2014
If Egypt wants a media blackout, we'll give them a media black eye. #AJTrial #FreeAJStaff pic.twitter.com/zUWgD3AJro
— Leah Borromeo (@monstris) June 23, 2014
It came from human rights and press freedom groups:
Journalism is not a Crime. #FreeAJStaff pic.twitter.com/X2Cq3vuP7o
— Amnesty NL (@amnestynl) June 23, 2014
The judgment is outrageous. But don't be surprised. Same judiciary sentencing 100s of Egyptians to deaths in lighting trials #AJTrial
— Nadim Houry (@nadimhoury) June 23, 2014
Today's Egypt verdict is disgraceful. Journalism is not a crime. #FreeAJStaff #Egypt http://t.co/mtE4EPCqzU
— Jodie Ginsberg (@jodieginsberg) June 23, 2014
And it came from politicians, though it remains to be seen what, if any, long-term repercussions the conviction will have on Egypt's relationship with the wider world:
WH’s @PressSec @jearnest44 condemns Egyptian conviction of journalists, saying it "flouts the most basic standards of media freedom."
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) June 23, 2014
After promising more aid to Egypt RT @mlcalderone: Kerry calls Al Jazeera conviction "a deeply disturbing set-back": pic.twitter.com/DpqA1H84fl
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) June 23, 2014
#Australia's FM: "We are shocked & deeply disappoint by this verdict" #AlJazeera journalists convicted & sentenced to 7 years in prison.
— Monita Rajpal (@MonitaRajpal) June 23, 2014
UK ambassador 'very disappointed' by journalist's jail terms: 'Freedom of expression is fundamental to any democracy' http://t.co/j8FSgic7lS
— ITV News (@itvnews) June 23, 2014
Netherlands summons Egypt ambassador over journalist @RenaNetjes sentence
— Charles Onians (@charlesonians) June 23, 2014
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