Australia condemns journalist jailing

2014-06-23 89

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3

Three Al Jazeera journalists on trial in Egypt accused of helping the Muslim Brotherhood have been jailed for seven years each.

Australian Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy, a Canadian-Egyptian national, and Baher Mohamed who's Egyptian were sentenced on Monday.

All three were convicted on charges which include helping a "terrorist organisation" by publishing lies.

Baher Mohamed's been given an extra three years over alleged arms possession offences.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is condemning the sentence.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER JULIE BISHOP SAYING:

"The Australian government is shocked at the verdict in the Peter Greste case. we are deeply dismayed by the fact that a sentence has been imposed and we are appalled by the severity of it."

The journalists denied the charges against them.

Al Jazeera, whose Qatar backer supports the Muslim Brothe

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