|
 Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy, Egyptian Baher Mohamed and
Australian Peter Greste were sentenced last June to seven to 10
years for spreading lies to help a "terrorist organization" - a
reference to Egypt's outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi said in November the issue of
a presidential pardon was under discussion. Egypt's High Court
ordered a retrial of the men on Jan. 1.
Baird sounded cautiously optimistic after talks with his Egyptian
counterpart Sameh Shukri.
"I would characterize the meeting as constructive and worthwhile,
and we look forward to resolving that issue
It's still not resolved today, but that’s why I came," he told a
news conference.
"This is a complex case … (The) minister understands how important
this is to me, to all Canadians. I thought today’s meeting was a
very constructive step on the road to a successful resolution."
Rights groups and Western governments have criticized the
detentions. Al Jazeera says the trial was flawed and has demanded
their release.
Baird seemed hopeful that Fahmy could be released soon.
"We’re working toward a constructive resolution on that sooner
rather than later," he said.
[to top of second column] |
Qatar was one of the main supporters of Egypt's President Mohamed
Mursi and his Brotherhood during their year in power before his
government was ousted by then army chief Sisi in July 2013.
Egypt has accused Al Jazeera of being a mouthpiece for the
now-banned Brotherhood, which the channel denies.
Sisi met a Qatari envoy last month, the latest step in diplomatic
efforts led by Saudi Arabia to help patch up ties.
Shukri told Reuters this week a decision by the Doha-based channel
to halt broadcasts last month of its Egypt-focused operation Al
Jazeera Mubasher Misr, whose content angered Cairo, would help
improve strained ties with Qatar.
(Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Dominic Evans)
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