Canadian journalist says Egypt prison conditions ‘psychologically unbearable’
CAIRO – An Egyptian-Canadian journalist shouted out in a Cairo courtroom today that the conditions he faces in prison are “psychologically unbearable.”
Mohamed Fahmy’s call for support came as he pleaded not guilty to what his family has described as a “ridiculous” set of charges.
Fahmy was arrested at the end of December along with two colleagues while working for satellite news broadcaster Al Jazeera English.
He faces several charges, including being part of a terrorist group — allegations his family and his employer have vigorously denied.
The trial was adjourned until March 5 after a 40-minute hearing.
Fahmy is being tried as part of a group of 20 individuals who local authorities say worked for the Al Jazeera network. At least twelve of those are being tried in absentia.
Authorities have long depicted Al-Jazeera network as biased toward ousted President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group.
Al-Jazeera denies bias.
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