Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a decree that grants him new powers, and it could be very good news for Australian journalist Peter Greste and his family.  Al-Sisi gave himself the authority to deport foreign defendants convicted or accused of crimes.

“When required by the state’s supreme interests, the president may extradite (foreign) defendants, whether convicted or standing trial, to their countries to either be tried or serve their sentences, upon the request of the public prosecutor,” read the decree issued by al-Sisi.

Al-Sisi has in the past said that he disagreed with the guilty verdicts and prisons sentences handed down to Peter Greste and two of his co-workers at Al Jazeera on terrorism charges and for broadcasting “false” news.  The convictions drew international condemnation and raised concerns about the state of freedom of expression in Egypt.  Amnesty International called the trial a “farcical spectacle” and a “ferocious attack on media freedom.”

The three journalists are scheduled to go back to court for their appeal on 1 January.