France flays jailing of journalists in Egypt

Paris, June 24 (IANS) France has denounced the jailing in Egypt of an Australian and two Egyptian journalists for seven years on charges of aiding the Muslim Brotherhood.

"It is important that the Egyptian authorities ensure journalists' protection and guarantee a fair trial to defendants based on an independent investigation," Xinhua quoted the foreign ministry as saying.

The ministry expressed concerns after an Egyptian court confirmed death sentence against 183 supporters of Muslim Brotherhood who participated in protests last year in August.

The three Al Jazeera journalists - Australian Peter Greste, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and producer Baher Mohamed - were sentenced by an Egyptian court Monday for seven years.

They were accused of spreading false news and helping the Muslim Brotherhood movement.