Al-Jazeera reports that its award-winning journalist Peter
Greste has been freed after spending 400 days in an Egyptian jail. He
was deported from Egypt and flown to Cyprus.
An Australian ex-BBC correspondent, Greste was arrested in December
2013 and tried on charges that included spreading false news and aiding
the Muslim Brotherhood.
Two Al-Jazeera colleagues, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, remain jailed.
The BBC reports that Fahmy could be deported to Canada, but concern remains about Mohamed, who holds no dual nationality.
Fahmy, who holds dual Egyptian and Canadian citizenship, may be freed after having his Egyptian nationality revoked, presidential sources said.
All the defendants denied the charges against them and said their trial was a sham.
They were accused of collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013.
In their defence, the three men said they were simply reporting the news.
Al-Jazeera tweeted that it welcomed Peter Greste’s release and demanded that Fahmy and Mohamed be freed.
Mostefa Souag, acting director-general of Al-Jazeera media network, said in a statement: “We’re pleased for Peter and his family that they are to be reunited. It has been an incredible and unjustifiable ordeal for them, and they have coped with incredible dignity.
“We will not rest until Baher and Mohamed also regain their freedom.
“The Egyptian authorities have it in their power to finish this properly today, and that is exactly what they must do.”
It will be recalled that in late 2014 renowned lawyer Femi Falana and human rights campaigner Joel Okei-Odumakin called for the release of all detained journalists in Egypt.
Award-winning Al Jazeera journalist, Peter Greste
Two Al-Jazeera colleagues, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, remain jailed.
The BBC reports that Fahmy could be deported to Canada, but concern remains about Mohamed, who holds no dual nationality.
Fahmy, who holds dual Egyptian and Canadian citizenship, may be freed after having his Egyptian nationality revoked, presidential sources said.
Fahmy (left) and Mohamed remain in jail (Source: BBC)
They were accused of collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013.
In their defence, the three men said they were simply reporting the news.
Al-Jazeera tweeted that it welcomed Peter Greste’s release and demanded that Fahmy and Mohamed be freed.
Mostefa Souag, acting director-general of Al-Jazeera media network, said in a statement: “We’re pleased for Peter and his family that they are to be reunited. It has been an incredible and unjustifiable ordeal for them, and they have coped with incredible dignity.
“We will not rest until Baher and Mohamed also regain their freedom.
“The Egyptian authorities have it in their power to finish this properly today, and that is exactly what they must do.”
It will be recalled that in late 2014 renowned lawyer Femi Falana and human rights campaigner Joel Okei-Odumakin called for the release of all detained journalists in Egypt.
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