Retrial of 2 remaining Al-Jazeera reporters to open in Egypt

A retrial of two Al-Jazeera journalists still held in Egypt for more than a year over terror-related charges is expected to open, as hopes run high for a resolution of the case that has drawn wide international criticism.

Thursday’s proceedings come less than two weeks since the deportation of the reporters’ Australian colleague, Peter Greste, who was held with the two — Canadian Mohammed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohammed. The three initially were sentenced to at least seven years before a retrial was ordered.

Greste was freed following a new decree granting Egypt’s president the power to deport foreigners.

Many expect the Cairo Criminal Court to release Fahmy, who dropped his Egyptian citizenship to be eligible for deportation. However, the fate of Baher, who only holds Egyptian citizenship, remains murky.