Egypt to put 20 Al-Jazeera journalists on trial- for terrorism

[cali]

CAIRO — Egypt said 20 journalists, including four foreigners, working for Al-Jazeera will face trial on charges of joining or aiding a terrorist group and endangering national security — an escalation that raised fears of a crackdown on freedom of the press.

It was the first time authorities have put journalists on trial on terror-related charges, suggesting authorities are expanding the reach of a heavy-handed crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood since the military’s ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi on July 3.

A trial date was not set, and the full list of charges and names of defendants not yet issued. But they are known to include three men working for Al-Jazeera English — acting bureau chief Mohammed Fahmy, a Canadian-Egyptian, award-winning correspondent Peter Greste of Australia and producer Baher Mohamed, an Egyptian. The three were arrested on Dec. 29 in a raid on the hotel suites where they have been operating from.

The charges are based on the government’s designation last month of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Authorities have long depicted the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera network as biased toward Morsi and the Brotherhood. But police largely targeted its Arabic service and its Egyptian affiliate, and while journalists have been detained the decision to refer cases to trial is unprecedented.

<snip>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/egypt-refers-al-jazeera-journalists-to-trial/2014/01/29/3fa9539e-88df-11e3-a760-a86415d0944d_story.html

Uh, yeah. Egypt is just in so much better hands now.

[libodem]

1. This is soul snuffing

It breaks my heart. This is when I have to pray to a higher power whether or not I believe in her or not. Goddess save these journalists from these monsters.

I just can't take it. I hope they don't come to any harm. How do we help? What do we do?

[cali]

4. I don't know what can be done. The administration supports this regime.

[libodem]

10. And we invented the terrorism card

It seems to be a free pass to visit mayhem on any kind of opposition anywhere.

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. Egypt has gone through the looking glass. Long live pharaoh!

[pampango]

3. Juan Cole: Why Tunisia’s Transition to Democracy is Succeeding while Egypt Falters

On Sunday, Tunisia’s parliament will vote on the final text of the new constitution. If it passes by a two-thirds vote, the text will not have to go to a national referendum, but just would become the organic law of the country. The constitution guarantees equal rights for women and wants gender equity in elections, and does not explicitly mandate Islamic law or sharia.

In contrast, Egypt has been a roller coaster ride. ... What explains the different outcomes?

1. The army stayed above the fray in Tunisia. In Egypt it repeatedly intervened, helping destabilize the country. The government Egypt has today, 3 years after the Tahrir revolution, was simply appointed by the officer corps, though further elections are promised.

2. The religious Right in Tunisia was cautious. Disciplined by neighboring Algeria’s decade-long civil war, al-Nahda avoided deeply polarizing moves. It gave up on putting sharia or Islamic law in the constitution. It allowed a middle class pushback against inroads against women’s rights. It agreed to step down in favor of a technocrat after last summer’s assassination.

4. The secularists in Tunisia did not demand a ban on the al-Nahda religious government. Those in Egypt did. Egypt’s attempt to exclude the Muslim Brotherhood altogether from social and political power has caused constant demonstrations.

http://www.juancole.com/2014/01/transition-democracy-succeeding.html

[cali]

5. thanks for posting this.

[kelliekat44]

6. Where is the international outrage and support for journalists? Oh...they work for Al-Jazeera. nt

[cali]

7. this has just been announced. I expect there will be a lot of support

Hopefully the administration will respond swiftly and in no uncertain terms.

[HappyMe]

8. Send troops?

Wouldn't that be like getting involved in another war type situation?

[cali]

9. wtf? who said anything about sending troops??????

sheesh. think cutting aid- which the administration should have done under the Leahy rule anyway. think a strong statement.

I'm perplexed why you'd think for an instant that I'd advocate sending troops.

[HappyMe]

11. Hey, I had no clue what

you were thinking. I don't read minds.

I have no idea what should be done there. There are so many groups, sub-groups, factions...
Cutting aid would be okay, but I don't think that is going to help those reporters at all.

[muriel_volestrangler]

12. Since you ask: 50 journalists sign letter supporting Al-Jazeera

Journalists express solidarity in calling for release of Al-Jazeera five

Representatives from the BBC, Sky News and the Daily Telegraph joined with Al-Jazeera English executives and the parents of one of the five, Peter Greste, in demanding that they be freed immediately.
...
The call for their release was made at a press conference at London's Frontline Club. Jonathan Baker, head of BBC college of journalism, said: "In spite of the competitiveness (between news organisations) the BBC is pleased to make common cause with those calling for the safety of journalists and for the ability to do their jobs properly."
...
At the weekend, US Senator John McCain condemned the continued detention of the journalists, calling it a clear violation of press freedom.
...
More than 50 foreign correspondents from across the world signed a statement earlier this month calling for an end to the "arbitrary imprisonment" of their Al-Jazeera colleagues. They further demanded the release of all fellow journalists in Egypt. It said:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2014/jan/29/al-jazeera-egypt

So, yeah, McCain did the right thing.