Al Jazeera calls for vigils at Egyptian embassies

Qatari-based television network Al Jazeera called for vigils in front of Egyptian Embassies around the world on Thursday to pressure Egypt to release four journalists working for the channel.

Three of these, Australian Peter Gerste, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed, are accused of aiding a terrorist group. They were arrested on December 29.

A fourth journalist, Abdallah al-Shami, has been in custody without charge since August 14 and started a hunger strike on January 23.

In a press conference in Doha, head of international relations at the network, Ghassan Abu Hussein called on journalists around the world to start vigils around Egyptian Embassies.

“Al Jazeera hopes through the attention of the world's media and partners, pressure can be brought to bear on the Egyptian authorities,” Al Jazeera said in a statement.

The three Al Jazeera English journalists are expected to stand trial, along with 17 other reporters who prosecutors allege of belong to the Qatari network, on March 5 after it was adjourned last week.

Charges include belonging to a terrorist organization, a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood designated as a terrorist group last December, and working without permission among other accusations.

A controversial video of the arrest was widely circulated earlier this month showing their interrogation and arrests. The 22-minute video was set to background music and lingered on equipment including laptops, external hard drives and notepads.

Journalists have already shown solidarity internationally. Earlier in the month, journalists from across the world posted photos of themselves with their mouths taped shut holding signs calling for the journalists’ release, which quickly went viral.