An Egyptian court on Saturday sentenced three Al Jazeera journalists to three years in jail.
Egyptian Baher Mohamed, Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Australian Peter Greste were found guilty in June 2014 of aiding a "terrorist organisation", a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood, which was outlawed in Egypt after the army overthrew President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, Al Jazeera reported.
"Today's verdict defies logic and common sense. Our colleagues Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy will now have to return to prison, and Peter Greste is sentenced in absentia," Al Jazeera Media Network’s Acting Director General, Mostefa Souag said.
"The whole case has been heavily politicised and has not been conducted in a free and fair manner."
The journalists and Al Jazeera have vigorously denied the accusations during the trial.
Ten previous sessions in the court have all been adjourned.
The three men have received support from governments, media organisations and rights groups from all across the world.
With IANS