Al Jazeera Media Network denounces death sentence

The Al Jazeera Media Network has denounced the death sentence awarded to journalists in an espionage case.“An Egyptian criminal court sentenced our colleagues Ibrahim Helal, former director of news at Al Jazeera’s Arabic channel, and Alaa Sablan, identified by the prosecution as an Al Jazeera journalist, to death on Saturday,” Al Jazeera said in a statement yesterday.  The two journalists were falsely accused of wrongdoing in the case, together with deposed president Mohamed Mursi and a number of media professionals, the statement noted.“Al Jazeera Media Network denounces, condemns and entirely rejects the verdict. Al Jazeera believes this is an unjust and politicised sentence that is a part of the ruthless campaign against freedom of speech and expression, in order to muzzle the voice of free press. Al Jazeera finds the sentence incriminating to the profession of journalism, which all international laws and legislation seek to protect, and to all journalists who should be enabled to report with objectivity, professionalism and integrity,” Al Jazeera said. Dr Mostefa Souag, acting director-general of Al Jazeera Media Network, said: “The sentence issued by the Egyptian criminal court today is considered an entire failure for the justice and court system in Egypt - a country classified as one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work in. This sentence is only one of many politicised sentences that target Al Jazeera and its employees. They are illogical convictions and legally baseless. Al Jazeera strongly denounces targeting its journalists and stands by the other journalists who have also been sentenced.”Dr Souag pointed out that all the sentences issued and all legal cases presented to Egyptian courts against Al Jazeera’s journalists since deposing Mursi were legally baseless, and that all the trials were conducted in an environment that lacked accuracy and integrity. He affirmed that all allegations against Helal were totally false and that the “only thing such allegations prove is that the Egyptian judiciary system is no longer independent but rather a follower to the executive authorities who dictate all its decisions”. Further, he confirmed that Al Jazeera “is and will be standing by Helal and Sablan” like it has done with all its journalists who were subjected to similar circumstances, and it will not deviate from its editorial policy or code of ethics. Al Jazeera has called upon the international community in general and international and humanitarian organisations in particular to show solidarity with the journalists who received “unjust sentences that outrageously oppose all international and regional laws and conventions that clearly support the protection of journalists and incriminate all forms of assault against them”.