Peter Greste free - But two Al Jazeera journalists still behind bars

Peter Greste is a free man again, but the international community is being implored to continue pressuring authorities in Egypt to release his two colleagues, Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian national Baher Mohamed. The Australian journalist is on his way from Cairo, where he’d been held for 400 days. In a case that sparked international outcry over press freedom, the three were sentenced to seven to 10 years on charges including spreading lies to help a terrorist organization — a reference to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

We will not rest until Baher and Mohamed also regain their freedom. The Egyptian authorities have it in their power to finish this properly today, and that is exactly what they must do.

Mostefa Souag, acting director general of Al Jazeera Media Network

Many Egyptians see Qatar-based Al Jazeera as a force set on destabilizing the country, a view that has been encouraged in the local media which labeled the journalists “The Marriott Cell”, because they worked from an outlet of the U.S.-based hotel chain. Authorities also accuse Al Jazeera of being a mouthpiece of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Qatar-backed movement which President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi toppled in 2013 when he was Egypt’s army chief. The case has contributed to tensions between Egypt and Qatar, though speculation had been rising that Saudi mediation had improved ties, raising the possibility that Sisi would deport or pardon the journalists.

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