A court in Egypt has sentenced three Al Jazeera journalists to three years in jail after finding them guilty of "aiding a terrorist organization".

Egyptian Baher Mohamed, Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Australian Peter Greste were all handed three-year jail sentences when the court in Cairo delivered the verdict on Saturday, sparking worldwide condemnation of the decision.

Mohamed was sentenced to an additional six months for possession of a spent bullet casing. An appeal against the verdict is planned.

Judge Hassan Farid, in his ruling, said he sentenced the men to prison because they had not registered with the country's journalist syndicate.

He also said the men brought in equipment without security officials' approval, had broadcast "false news" on Al Jazeera and used a hotel as a broadcasting point without permission.

TVNL Comment:  As a result of the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, the US gives Egypt 1.5 billion a year in aid.  How many schools could be built with that money? For the record: Israel gets more 'aid' than any other country: - totally around 13 billion - in direct aid, loans and guaranteed grants.  WHY?  Just asking....

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