DHAKA: Egyptian police have arrested three journalists working for the Al-Jazeera broadcaster in the capital Cairo.

They include the TV network’s Cairo bureau chief Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and former BBC correspondent Peter Greste.

The interior ministry said the journalists had held illegal meetings with the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

The movement was declared a terrorist organisation last week. Brotherhood-backed president Mohammed Mursi was ousted by the army in July.

The military-backed interim government launched a crackdown on the movement following Morsi’s removal from power.

Thousands of Brotherhood members, including its leadership, have been arrested and many put on trial, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1230 HRS, DEC 30, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor