News of the deportations came weeks after a reconciliation between Egyptian and Qatari authorities after a bitter feud.

“All three men are facing trumped up charges and were forced to endure a farcical trial marred by irregularities. Continuing to detain Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy is completely unjust and unwarranted.”

Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International

“It has become increasingly clear that the journalists have been used as political pawns in a dispute between the authorities of Egypt and the Qatar government, which owns the Al Jazeera network. It is unacceptable that the lives of these men have been so carelessly toyed with,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.

Amnesty International continues to call for the charges against all three men to be dropped.