By Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
We have followed the plight of several reporters for the news medium Al Jazeera who were imprisoned and subjected to various appeals on behalf of the prosecution to ensure their place amongst the incarcerated, accused under dubious evidence of involvement with terrorist organizations and the crime of reporting of false information. The courts even went so far as to accuse them of doing the work of the devil. (HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE)
For over a year there has been much outcry in the world media and the public about the abuses against free speech, journalists, and citizens; especially focused it was on these reporters. Now, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi grants a pardon to these Al Jazeera reporters.
The reporters constituted many other civil rights activists and citizens recently jailed by the government of Egypt. Reportedly one hundred received a pardon in anticipation of the Eid al-Adha holiday. Additionally the timing of the pardon occurred the day prior to the president travelling to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly.
Internally in several circles of the government and members of society there was pressure undoubtedly to pursue the case against the journalists and others. It provided a form of justice in the minds of accusers, though it certainly was upon false and highly questionable means. President el-Sissi undoubtedly bowed to pressure on a political front and the timing of the pardon conveys a high probability this was a large factor in his decision to pardon these hundred individuals. But whatever the reason for those incarcerated and their families it is of little relevance or importance, for they are now free. It is certain the experience will haunt them as it is whenever injustice is rendered. For that reason, there was no justice.
By Darren Smith
Source: FOX News
The views expressed in this posting are the author’s alone and not those of the blog, the host, or other weekend bloggers. As an open forum, weekend bloggers post independently without pre-approval or review. Content and any displays or art are solely their decision and responsibility.
The government watchers who read this blog know I am serious when I say: “Cloud 9”. That is their code word. Lets see if they close down this blog. I have other U.S. secrets to reveal.
Kerry asked Sissi to let em go. I learned this off the secure emails on Cloud 9.
This post reads as tho it were translated from another language….shouldn’t you credit the source?
al-Jazerra or however ya spull it, needs to change its name. Is it funded by Qatar? Any thing with first name Al is suspect. Al Sharptongue comes to mind. al Zaweri comes to mind. Or however ya spull it. Egypt is in good shape with the Sissi government and we should not make fun of his name. He is not a “sissy” in the way we use the term.
Some people just can’t seem to escape the past.
Thanks for some good news. There was a weekend blogger who would sometimes post heartwarming stories. This is not that category, but @ least it’s good news.
I hope they can all get out of the country.