US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday condemned an Egyptian court’s “deeply disturbing” decision to sentence three Al-Jazeera journalists to jail terms of at least seven years.
“Today’s conviction is obviously a chilling and draconian sentence,” Kerry told journalists during an unannounced visit to Baghdad, which came a day after he visited Egypt.
He said he had “registered our serious displeasure” with Cairo.
“Injustices like these simply cannot stand if Egypt is to move forward in the way that President (Abdel Fattah) al-Sisi and Foreign Minister (Sameh) Shoukri told me just yesterday that they aspire to see their country advance,” Kerry said, in a statement.
“Egyptian society is stronger and sustainable when all of its citizens have a say and a stake in its success. Today’s verdicts fly in the face of the essential role of civil society, a free press, and the real rule of law.”
He said the trial “lacked many fundamental norms of due process” and added that he spoke with Shoukri again Monday “to make very clear our deep concerns about these convictions and sentences.”
An Egyptian court on Monday sentenced three of the network’s journalists to jail terms ranging from seven to 10 years, accusing them of aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood.
Australian Peter Greste and Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fadel Fahmy each got seven years, while Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed received two sentences — one for seven years and another for three.
The verdict drew condemnation from governments around the world, UN officials and press freedom activists.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.