Al-Jazeera reporters go on trial in Egypt

Complain of 'psychologically unbearable' conditions

Journalists hold up placards as they demonstrate across the street from Egypt's embassy in central London, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014. The protest organized by the National Union of Journalists called for the protection of journalists in Egypt, where six have been killed and many more injured covering events on the streets of Cairo and the rest of the country. Others, including Al-Jazeera English acting bureau chief in Cairo Mohammed Fahmy, a Canadian-Egyptian, award-winning correspondent Peter Greste of Australia and producer Baher Mohamed, an Egyptian have been imprisoned. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Journalists hold up placards as they demonstrate across the street from Egypt's embassy in central London, Wednesday. The protest organized by the National Union of Journalists called for the protection of journalists in Egypt, where six have been killed and many more injured covering events.

CAIRO — Two Al-Jazeera journalists on trial in Egypt with other colleagues have shouted that they face “psychologically unbearable” conditions while being held.

Egyptian-Canadian Mohammed Fahmy and Australian Peter Greste shouted to reporters in the courtroom today as their trial began.

Only eight of the 20 defendants were present in the Cairo courtroom today. The rest will be tried in absentia.

Twenty employees of the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera network are charged with belonging to and aiding a terrorist organization.

Authorities have long depicted Al-Jazeera network as biased toward ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group. Al-Jazeera denies bias.

The trial was adjourned until March 5 after a 40-minute hearing.