‘Bullhorn’ diplomacy won’t free Canadian journalist in Egypt: Baird

OTTAWA – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says bullhorn diplomacy won’t secure the release of Egyptian-Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy.

Baird says Canada is pursuing all legal avenues to win the freedom of the Al-Jazeera journalist who was sentenced to seven years in prison by a Cairo court on Monday.

READ MORE: Egypt president won’t interfere in court verdicts of 3 reporters

The terrorism charges and sentences against Fahmy, Australian Peter Greste and Egyptian Baher Mohamed have been widely condemned as bogus.

The harsh sentences have been the subject of vocal condemnation by Australian and U.S. politicians, but some critics say the Harper government is offering too muted a response.

READ MORE: ‘I hold you responsible’ for conviction, Fahmy’s brother tells Harper

Baird tells Ottawa radio station CFRA that Canada is working hard to have Fahmy freed on appeal, or through a possible presidential pardon.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said earlier today he will not interfere in the rulings and said people should stop criticizing his country’s courts.