Human Rights Watch denounces Egypt's stand on freedom of expression ahead of al-Jazeera trial
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A rights group has denounced Egypt's stand on freedom of expression as 20 employees of the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera network are due to go on trial.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch described in a Thursday statement as "politicized" the charges against the Al-Jazeera employees, which include belonging and aiding a terrorist group and working in Egypt without a license.
The trial of the Al-Jazeera employees, who include acting chief of bureau Mohamed Fahmy, an Egyptian-Canadian, and correspondent Peter Greste, an Australian, begins on Thursday.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The charges are based on the government's designation in December of the Muslim Brotherhood, the group from which ousted Islamist leader Mohammed Morsi hails, as a terrorist organization.
Authorities depict Al-Jazeera as biased toward Morsi and the Brotherhood.
Al-Jazeera denies any bias.