Egypt Court Jails Al Jazeera Journalists for 7-10 Years

Junta Insists Reports Were Aiding 'Terrorism'

The Egyptian military junta has continued its purge of anything perceived as even a little unfriendly to their rule today, with three al-Jazeera journalists sentenced to 7-10 years in jail for aiding “terrorism.”

The charges stem from al-Jazeera’s coverage of last summer’s coup d’etat. The junta has since labeled the Muslim Brotherhood, the former ruling party, a terrorist organization, and insists the coverage hindered the coup and therefore aided terrorism.

Qatari-based al-Jazeera has been critical of the Egyptian junta, and that criticism has put them at odds with traditional ally Saudi Arabia, which was thrilled with the military takeover and has threatened Qatar if it doesn’t shut al-Jazeera down outright.

The US called the sentences “chilling,” but following less than 24 hours after Secretary of State John Kerry’s visit, at which he assured the junta of quick shipments of military aid, it seems like the US complaints won’t amount to anything.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.