DHAKA: An Egypt court jailed three al-Jazeera journalists for seven years accusing them for supporting Muslim Brotherhood.

A court in Cairo convicted Peter Greste, Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed of spreading false news and supporting the banned Islamist group. 

Though, the trio had denied the charges, reports the BBC.

Three other foreign journalists tried in absentia received 10-year sentences.

The trial has caused an international outcry amid claims it is politicised.

Earlier, the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott made a direct appeal to Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi for the release of Mr Greste, a former BBC correspondent.

The three al-Jazeera journalists have been detained in Egypt for the past six months.

They were among 20 defendants in the trial that comes amid concerns over growing media restrictions in Egypt.

BDST: 1620 HRS, JUNE 23, 2014