Fahmy feels ‘warmth and love’ in Toronto
Journalist jailed in Egypt returns home to Canada
TORONTO • The Canadian journalist who was released from prison in Egypt last month has returned home, marking the end of his nearly two-year ordeal in a case that raised questions about Egypt’s commitment to free speech.
Mohamed Fahmy, a former Al-Jazeera reporter detained on terrorrelated charges, arrived in Toronto on Sunday.
“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” Fahmy said Monday.
“I felt humbled and safe seeing the kind and heartfelt vibes from the police officers and security at the airport who were extremely hospitable and recognized my face despite my attempts to keep my arrival quiet.
“It was mind-boggling that the cab driver, passengers on the flight and strangers recognized me in the airport and knew the details of my story. I felt lots of warmth and love.”
He expressed similar feelings in a series of tweets in which he thanked those who supported him.
“Happy Thanksgiving Canada! Walking the streets of Toronto with my wife is a truly liberating feeling! We feel safe, free, & at home! #Love”
Fahmy was arrested in 2013 with two Al-Jazeera English colleagues. He was sentenced to three years in prison in a retrial this year for airing what a court described as “false news” and coverage biased in favour of the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.
The case was widely condemned. He and his Egyptian co-defendant, Baher Mohammed, received a presidential pardon last month. The other colleague, Australian Peter Greste, was released a year before Fahmy after Australia’s prime minister intervened.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been criticized by Fahmy and others for not doing enough to get the journalist back to Canada. Fahmy said he made sure to come back amid the campaign because he feels it his responsibility to start a debate on the issue.
Fahmy said Harper’s “hyperconservative approach directly damaged and delayed my chances for freedom.” He said former foreign minister John Baird damaged his case when he said in Egypt that Canada would not prosecute Fahmy should he be turned over to Canada, something Fahmy called a diplomatic faux pas. He said he would
Walking the streets of Toronto with my wife is a truly liberating feeling!
have more to say about it at a news conference Tuesday at Ryerson University in Toronto.
A senior government official said Harper spoke with Egypt’s president and sent several letters on Fahmy’s behalf. The official spoke on condition of anonymity.
Fahmy has said he was not aware Harper had called Egypt’s president. He said he was grateful but asked, “Why aren’t they transparent about him making a call and taking a stand?”
He also said he plans on meeting with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair this week.
Fahmy left Cairo last week after learning his name had been removed from a no-fly list.
He has said he plans to take up a position as an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia’s school of journalism in Vancouver. He is writing a book about his experiences.