CAIRO: Egypt’s foreign ministry on Sunday summoned the British ambassador over his criticism of prison sentences handed to three journalists from Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera.

“What counts is the Egyptian people’s confidence in the transparency and independence of the Egyptian judiciary,” the foreign ministry said, calling ambassador John Casson’s comments “unacceptable interference”.

“Egypt needs lessons from no one,” it said.

A Cairo court on Saturday sentenced Australian journalist Peter Greste, Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed to three years in prison for having broadcast “false” news and for having worked without the necessary permits.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

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