Egypt set to prosecute 20 journalists over terror tag accusations

Some 20 journalists, including foreigners, are facing charges in Egypt.

Sixteen journalists are Egyptians who are accused of belonging to a 'terrorist organisation' and four are foreigners accused of assisting it, or spreading false news.

According to the BBC, the 16 Egyptian journalists are facing several allegations including belonging to a terrorist group, harming national unity and social peace, and using terrorism as a means to their goals.

The four foreigners are accused of collaborating with the Egyptians and providing them with information, equipment and money.

The four even broadcast false information and rumours to convince the international community that Egypt was undergoing a civil war, the report said.

The staff members and journalists of al-Jazeera were arrested in late December following interior ministry accusations of illegally broadcasting from a hotel suite, the report said.

The al-Jazeera network said it was surprised when Egyptian authorities arrested its reporters.

Other news organisations, including the BBC, Sky and the Daily Telegraph newspaper issued a joint call for the immediate release of all journalists held in Egypt.