Cairo ( CNN ) -- Prosecutors presented evidence at a hearing this week for three Al Jazeera English journalists accused of terrorist activity in Egypt , but they did little to explain why everyday broadcast equipment and the defendants ' personal belongings would implicate them in any crime . The three journalists at this second hearing are among 20 defendants authorities have charged with crimes ; the Qatar-based Al Jazeera says only eight have worked for the network . The trial has drawn international condemnation from human rights groups , who say the arrests indicate authorities in Egypt are stifling dissent and freedom of the press . The case comes amid a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood after the ouster of Egypt 's first democratically elected president , Mohamed Morsy . The accused have denied the allegations against them , with the journalists saying they were simply doing their jobs . Detained Al Jazeera journalists appear in court as trial opens . In what was at times a bizarre and confused proceeding Wednesday , a lead investigator took the stand as the state 's first witness but refused to answer several questions , saying he could not divulge a secret government source . At one point the witness told the court he could not remember certain details of his investigation . `` What we saw in court today was ridiculous , '' said Adel Fahmy , brother of jailed Al Jazeera English producer Mohamed Fahmy . `` It showed that the government has no case and these journalists are innocent . '' Fahmy , producer Baher Mohamed and award-winning correspondent Peter Greste , an Australian , were arrested December 29 at a Cairo hotel room and later charged with joining a terrorist organization , broadcasting false information and working in Egypt without permits . The three have been denied bail and kept in detention for more than two months . Among the evidence the state claims to have is video of news reports , allegedly fabricated by the Al Jazeera journalists . Fahmy 's defense attorney demanded for the reports to be viewed in court and complained the court did not have the equipment necessary to show the video . He also questioned the credibility of statements written by state witnesses because the wording of each was identical . Wednesday 's proceeding drew sharp criticism and mocking statements on social media from journalists covering the trial . `` Watching judge unseal a steady stream of evidence , often having to use his pen or a lighter , was farcical . This trial is a huge embarrassment , '' tweeted Cairo-based freelance journalist Louisa Loveluck . Throughout the hearing , the defendants were kept in a caged dock steps away from their family members . On several occasions , the judge gave them permission to address the court . `` I would never betray my country , '' Fahmy told the court . From inside the cage , Greste told reporters he was angry `` that we spent two months in prison for such flimsy evidence . '' The trial was adjourned until March 24 .
`` What we saw in court today was ridiculous , '' brother of one accused journalist says . Trial of Al Jazeera English journalists accused of terrorist activity adjourned till late March . Lead investigator declines to answer questions , says he ca n't divulge secret source . Trial has drawn international condemnation from human rights groups .