Egypt frees Al-Jazeera journalists from prison, pending retrial

Canadian Al-Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy was released from an Egyptian jail Friday, after spending more than a year in prison on terror-related charges in a case that was denounced as a sham by rights groups and the international community. He was let out pending a retrial. Fahmy’s brother tweeted that he posted $33,000 bail following a court decision that allowed him to walk free. It was not clear if Fahmy’s colleague, Al-Jazeera journalist Baher Mohammed, also was being released.

We are happy the gloom has now lifted, but we hope for acquittal, not just release. Nothing he has done deserves those 14 months in prison.

Wafaa Bassiouni, mother of Al-Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy

Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were imprisoned in June along with their Australian colleague, Peter Greste. Greste was released two weeks ago and deported to Australia. Cairo has signalled it wants to resolve the case and end the criticism ahead of a major economic conference next month to drum up international investment.

I’m looking forward to the day when the court declares all of us innocent of the charges. Then the party will really begin.

Peter Greste

World Al Jazeera