Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy gives up Egyptian citizenship ahead of 'imminent' release

Three Al Jazeera journalists were sentenced in June over alleged promotion of 'a terrorist organisation'

Agency
Tuesday 03 February 2015 12:01 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Egypt could free Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fahmy within hours, Qatar-based news channel Al Jazeera English reported today.

Fahmy’s colleague, Peter Greste, who is an Australian citizen, was released on Sunday. A third journalist, Baher Mohamed, an Egyptian national, is still held in prison in Cairo.

The three men were sentenced last June to between seven and 10 years on charges including spreading lies to help “a terrorist organisation” – which refers to the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

(L to R): Baher Mohamed, Mohamed Fahmy and Peter Greste
(L to R): Baher Mohamed, Mohamed Fahmy and Peter Greste (AP)

Al Jazeera said that Fahmy had renounced his Egyptian citizenship, in a move that paves the way for him to be deported under a presidential decree.

Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation yesterday that Fahmy’s release was “imminent” but did not say whether he meant hours or days.

A security source said on Sunday that Fahmy was expected to be released and deported to Canada within days.

Egyptian authorities accuse Qatar-based Al Jazeera of being a mouthpiece of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Qatari-backed movement which President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi toppled in 2013 when he was Egypt’s army chief.

Reporting by Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in