CAIRO
The second hearing in the trial of 20 people charged with "inciting violence," including a handful of journalists from the Qatar-owned Al Jazeera news network, convened in Cairo on Wednesday.
The defendants, including four foreign nationals, are accused of "fabricating news reports" with the aim of "tarnishing Egypt's image abroad."
The trial, which has become the subject of international media attention, saw a heavy media presence at its Wednesday's session.
Last month, Egyptian prosecutors charged the defendants – eight in custody and 12 in absentia – with belonging to a "terrorist" group and providing it with money, information and equipment.
They are also accused of "broadcasting lies and rumors."
Egyptian authorities arrested the journalists, some of whom work for Al Jazeera's English-language news service, late last December.
They have since been charged with broadcasting "unlicensed" material for Al Jazeera from a hotel in downtown Cairo.
The network, for its part, emphatically denies the charges.
Egypt's military-backed government has repeatedly accused Al Jazeera of bias in favor of ousted president Mohamed Morsi – an allegation the network rejects.
By Islam Mosaad
englishnews@aa.com.tr
