3 lawyers defending AJE journalists quit case in protest

Three lawyers representing Al Jazeera English journalists currently on trial for terrorism-related charges suddenly stepped down on Thursday, accusing the Qatar-based satellite network of twisting the facts of the case to its own ends without regard for the defendants, reported the Associated Press.

Mohamed Fahmy, a Canadian-Egyptian dual national who had been the acting chief of the English bureau, Australian correspondent Peter Greste and Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed are accused of aiding the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood organization, and broadcasting false footage that tarnished Egypt’s image and threatened national security.

They were arrested on December 29 after police forces raided their room in Zamalek’s Marriott Hotel, and have been in prison since then. The defendants and the network deny all charges.

The lawyer appointed to defend Australian journalist Peter Greste accused the Qatar-based satellite channel of spinning the case “to defame Egypt” without concern for their incarcerated staff members, tweeted Times reporter Bel Trew from the court room.

Khaled Abou Bakr, who was hired to represent Mohamed Fahmy, also refused to participate in Thursday’s court session in protest against the prosecution’s stipulation that the defense lawyers pay a fee of LE1.2 million to view video evidence against their clients, according to Fahmy’s brother.

"It is like sending a student to an exam without giving him a text book," Fahmy argued, claiming that none of the defense lawyers had been permitted to see the evidence. 

Fahmy also claimed that the lawyers were protesting against Al-Jazeera Mubasher’s broadcasting of incorrect information on their behalf.

There have been concerns about Fahmy’s health since his arrest. According to his family he suffered from a severe shoulder injury and did not receive medical care, prompting his father to send a letter to the office of interim President Adly Mansour earlier this year. In March, Mansour promised that the family that the interior minister would personally ensure that Fahmy would receive the needed medical attention.

On Thursday, Fahmy’s brother said that he was now receiving physiotherapy in prison.

A newly arrested defendant was introduced to the trial in Thursday’s court session. Independent journalist Sara al-Sirgany reported that 49-year-old Khaled Abdel Rahman was remanded into custody for 10 days, and was present in court for the first time on Thursday.

In addition to the three English bureau staff members, 14 other defendants are being tried in the case. Sirgany tweeted from court that nine of the defendants were present at the session, while the rest were in absentia.

Bail was denied for all defendants yet again, and the next hearing in the case was scheduled for May 22.