The first pictures have emerged of journalist Peter Greste caged behind bars in a Cairo courtroom.
SBS Dateline has gained exclusive access to the footage of last week’s court hearing for a story to be broadcast on tonight’s program.
They show the Australian journalist and some of his co-accused in cages inside the courtroom, shouting to their supporters through the bars.
It’s a scene which shocked Peter’s brother Andrew, who’d travelled from Brisbane to lobby for his release.
“It was shocking… how you expect animals to be treated,” he tells SBS Correspondent Brett Mason, but says the family must remain strong.
“If I focus on Peter’s situation, where he is and the conditions that he’s living in, it would break your heart.”
“He’s my brother and family… and we’d drop anything for family.”
Peter Greste’s family live in Queensland and New South Wales, and have been reluctantly thrust into the spotlight by events in Egypt.
The Al Jazeera reporter is among 20 people accused of 'airing false news' about Egypt and supporting the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood - the party of ousted President Morsi.
Tonight, Dateline meets his family at home as they struggle to take on board what’s happened, and travels with Andrew as he leaves behind his farm in outback New South Wales to support his brother.
“I’m not an expert in international law or diplomacy or media or anything like that, so all of it’s a bit nerve wracking,” he tells Brett.
And when Andrew emerged from Peter’s court appearance, he was surrounded by a huge crowd of media.
“I wasn’t expecting this sort of interest in front of the prison,” he says. “I’m a cotton and grain grower… definitely the lifestyle I lead at home is not in front of the camera.”
Peter was refused bail and his case was adjourned until 5th March. Andrew will remain in Cairo until then.
See Brett’s full story on the family behind the headlines, A Brother’s Plea, on Dateline tonight at 9.30pm on SBS ONE.
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