Peter Greste to appeal seven-year jail sentence in Egypt

In a statement released by his family in Brisbane, Australia, Greste said: "We will appeal. We still remain strong and confident, determined to fight for our cause. At least part of our strength comes from the understanding that this isn't just about those wrongly convicted in our case. This is about press freedom, about freedom of speech not just in Egypt but globally."

Greste and two Al Jazeera English colleagues, Egyptian-Canadian acting bureau chief Mohammed Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohammed, were arrested in December as part of a crackdown on Islamist supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

Their conviction and sentences have been widely condemned as an aggressive attack on press freedom in Egypt.

Greste’s brother Michael said the family was appointing Egyptian lawyers and Al-Jazeera was helping with legal bills. He said that an appeal was in the final stages of being lodged with Egypt’s court of cassation.

Michael Greste said his brother was coping "reasonably well" after the verdict and was now being allowed more freedom to go outside his prison cell.

He read out a letter from his brother in which he thanked friends and strangers for the support offered to him.

“One thing that helps lift my mood is the incredible collection of letters. If ever I feel alone or isolated I only need to leaf through those for inspiration. It has been heartening and humbling to see how many people from long forgotten friends to complete strangers writing with such warmth and encouragement,” the letter said. ■