An Egyptian court adjourned to March 8 the trial of two Al Jazeera television journalists on Monday (February 23).
Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed are both charged with aiding a “terrorist organization” and were freed on bail on February 12 after more than 400 days in jail.
“The court has decided the adjournment until March 8 2015 as the defense asked,” said Judge Hassan Farid.
After the court announced the adjournment, Mohamed Fahmy, said: “I really don't know what's going to happen. I am paying for my own legal fees. It's become really costly for me and on every level - emotionally, financially - my whole family is stressed.”
“I enjoyed my first couple of days of freedom but it's still limited freedom and I am still stressed. Last night I didn't sleep much because I am always thinking about what's going to happen if this going to end soon. And as I expected it was adjourned. And again the same inefficiencies, the witnesses don't show up, the evidence is not... that's the responsibility of the court. So, I don't get it.”
Fellow defendant Baher Mohamed, said: “What happened today - the adjournment today to the 8th of March. It's the same, I am slightly optimistic because of the judgment of the court of cassation. I'm still waiting, I'm still waiting; I wait and see. But I am happy that I will return back, I will not stay in prison. I'm happy that I'm going back to my family; seeing my family and my kids. I just spoke to my wife and kids now, they are happy that I'm returning home. This is something very beautiful and I really appreciate it and I am willing to continue this for freedom of press”
Baher Mohamed, Mohamed Fahmy and Australian Peter Greste were sentenced last year to between seven and 10 years in jail on charges including spreading lies to help a terrorist organization -- a reference to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
Greste was freed on February 1 and deported after 400 days in a Cairo prison.
Egyptian authorities accuse Qatar-based Al Jazeera of being a mouthpiece of the Brotherhood -- the movement the army removed from power in 2013. Al Jazeera denies the allegations.
The journalists were detained in December 2013. They say they were doing their jobs.
Their imprisonment reinforced the view of human rights groups that the government was rolling back freedoms gained after the 2011 uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
Baher Mohamed was given an extra three years for possessing a single bullet.
REUTERS