Trial of jailed Al Jazeera journalists adjourns until March 24

CAIRO, March 5 (UPI) -- An Egyptian court adjourned the trial of three Al Jazeera journalists until March 24.

Al Jazeera journalists Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were arrested on terrorism charges in December, and have been detained since. The Egyptian police accused Al Jazeera English in Cairo of being a mouthpiece for the Muslim Brotherhood and using their broadcast location at the Marriott hotel as a meeting venue for Muslim Brotherhood members, an organization the Egyptian government has designated a terrorist group.

The men appeared in court on Wednesday for the second time since their December arrest.

Al Jazeera English managing director Al Anstey said the "world-class journalists... were simply doing the job -- of journalism -- covering and challenging all sides of the story in Egypt" and "To continue to keep them behind bars after such a long time in detention is simply outrageous..."

The journalists pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on February 20.

[Al Jazeera]