Three journalists working for Qatar-based Al-Jazeera English who are on trial in Egypt for their alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood have pleaded not guilty on Thursday. Their trial was adjourned until March 5.
Australian Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed, wearing white prison outfits, appeared in metal cages, according to Reuters, which says six others identified as al-Jazeera journalists are being tried in absentia.
Al-Jazeera reports that the three who appeared in court on Thursday are accused of "joining, or aiding and abetting a terrorist organization."
The cause of the three journalists has been a subject on social media, including a Facebook page Free Peter Greste.
The three were detained in Cairo on December 29 and have remained in custody ever since. According to Reuters:
"All three deny the charges and Al Jazeera has said the accusations are absurd. Egyptian officials have said the case is not linked to freedom of expression and that the journalists raised suspicions by operating without proper accreditation."