Egypt’s top court hears an appeal Thursday by three jailed Al-Jazeera journalists as expectations of their release grew amid a thawing of Cairo’s ties with Qatar, the channel’s base

Egypt's top court hears an appeal Thursday by three jailed Al-Jazeera journalists as expectations of their release grew amid a thawing of Cairo's ties with Qatar, the channel's base.
  
Australian Peter Greste, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Baher Mohamed of the satellite news broadcaster's English service were arrested in December 2013 in a case that triggered global outrage. Greste and Fahmy each got seven years, and Mohamed was jailed for 10.
  
In June, the reporters, who authorities say lacked proper accreditation, were jailed for aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood and spreading "false information" after the army ousted Islamist president Mohammad Mursi in July 2013.
  
"The Court of Cassation could order a retrial, issue a new verdict or acquit the defendants," said Fahmy's defense lawyer Negad al-Borai, adding that the appeal could even be dismissed.
  
The three, who on Monday completed one year in prison, could also be freed on bail if a retrial is ordered, he said.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Monday downplayed speculation of a release, saying there had been mixed signals from Egyptian authorities.