Trial Delayed For Canadian Journalist Mohamed Fahmy
A Canadian journalist working for the publication Al Jazeera, has been detained in Egypt following a postponed court trial.
The much-anticipated verdict was delayed, which will likely heat things up more as the legal saga continues.
According to Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy, it took several hours until they got word of the postponement. Fahmy spoke to The Canadian Press and gave the following comment in regards to the delayed trial.
“It’s just mind boggling the way they continue to play with our emotions here.”
He followed by stating.
“It’s very hard on everyone.”
Fahmy first became suspicious that something was up when the doors of the court were closed even though he and members of the media, waited for quite a while. Thereafter, officers reportedly told everyone to move to the other side of the street, Toronto Star reports.
The postponement will likely cause more anxiety for Fahmy, as he told the media that it wasn’t something he was prepared for. Additionally, Fahmy told CBC News about being frustrated after receiving the unexpected news.
Can someone tell me if the trial is postponed until August 2 or 8? We are still clueless and no official announcement! #FreeAJStaff#Egypt
— Mohamed Fadel Fahmy (@MFFahmy11) July 30, 2015
Al Jazeera Media Network’s spokesperson also commented, saying the atmosphere was filled with “anger” in regards to the trial.
“We were standing outside the court with the press corps surrounding us… and suddenly we were just escorted away from the vicinity of the area and we were left there with no information at all.
“We are extremely angry that the verdict has been adjourned today.”
Mohamed Fahmy, 41, was first arrested 19 months ago, back in 2013, at the Cairo Marriott hotel after Egyptian security forces uncovered ties to the banned Muslim Brotherhood. In addition, Fahmy falsely reported news to show Egypt in a state of civil war.
However, despite his arrest, the Egyptian-born Canadian journalist received the World Press Freedom award in May of 2014.
Egyptian authorities are accusing Fahmy, Mohamed, and Peter Greste, of publishing false news, in addition to supporting the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. All three men worked for the Al Jazeera Media Network.
Recently, the 41-year-old journalist announced his wedding with his fiancée, Marwa Omara. Reporters gathered outside the court where Fahmy showed off their wedding rings, according to the Guardian.
False reporting in journalism is nothing new. Sabrina Rubin Erdely, a Rolling Stone journalist, published a false story about a gang rape that supposedly took place at a University of Virginia fraternity. Other examples of false reporting — in which journalists got slammed — include Brian Williams, Judith Miller and Jason Felch.
In recent weeks, Fahmy has been the center of media attention and his trial has turned into one of the most popular journalism court sagas ever. It’s anyone’s guess what will happen next with the trial.
The case continues.
[Photo via Mohamed El-Shahed / Getty Images]
