3 Al Jazeera journalists sentenced to prison in Egypt

An Egyptian court sentenced three Al Jazeera journalists to prison Saturday in a case sparking sharp criticism from human rights groups, Reuters reports. Canadian national Mohamed Fahmy, Egyptian producer Baher Mohamed, and Australian journalist Peter Greste all received three years in prison for operating without a press license and broadcasting "fake news." Mohamed's sentence is six months longer because he reportedly had a spent bullet casing at the time of his arrest.

The new verdict came a year after the men received sentences of seven to 10 years, which prompted an international outcry and a retrial order from Egypt's highest appeals court.

"This is a farcical verdict which strikes at the heart of freedom of expression in Egypt," Amnesty International said in a statement.

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Amal Clooney, Fahmy's attorney, said she plans to appeal the verdict.