Egypt summons Britain envoy over comments about reporters verdict
Egypt's Foreign Ministry has summoned the British envoy in Cairo to protest at his recent remarks about three-year jail sentences handed down to three al-Jazeera journalists, Press TV reports.
The ministry said in a statement on Sunday that comments by British Ambassador to Egypt, John Casson, were "unacceptable interference" in the affairs of Egypt's judicial establishment.
The statement noted that the remarks were also "incompatible with diplomatic norms and practices."
'Not in a position to criticize'
Meanwhile, Ahmed Abu Zeid, the ministry spokesperson, said Egypt is a state that "upholds the law," adding that those leveling the criticism against Egypt have "a lot to be criticized for.”
Casson had earlier told media outlets that he was "shocked and concerned by the sentences." "I am concerned that today's ruling will undermine confidence in the basis of Egypt's stability, both in Egypt and abroad."
An Egyptian court sentenced three al-Jazeera journalists to three years in prison on Saturday for broadcasting "false news."
Critics say the verdict underlines how authorities are trampling over freedom of speech just over a year into general-turned-politician Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi's presidency.
The trio were arrested on December 29, 2013, and charged with supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and fabricating news and footage that threatened the Egyptian national security.
The Egyptian-born award-winning journalist and writer, Mohammed Fahmy, who worked as the Arab agency’s international bureau chief in Egypt, denied all the charges against him, and claimed that he was just doing his job as a journalist.
The two other al-Jazeera employees, Peter Greste, who is Latvian-Australian, and Baher Mohammad, also an Egyptian, followed suit, maintaining their innocence.
Cairo’s move in sentencing the journalists has also drawn international condemnation. Amnesty International has called the ruling the death knell for the freedom of expression in Egypt.
The US, Canada, European Union (EU) and the Committee to Protect Journalists criticized the verdict as well, with the advocacy group saying it was "emblematic of the threats faced by journalists in Egypt."
At least 22 journalists are behind bars in Egypt.
President el-Sisi launched a massive crackdown on supporters of Brotherhood after overthrowing former president, Mohamed Morsi, in July 2013 military coup.
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