Father held in Egypt for back-pat is released
A British father-of-four who was arrested for reportedly “patting” a male airport security guard on the back has been released.
Supporters of London businessman Tony Camoccio, 51, feared he would be falsely accused of sexual assault after the alleged incident at Hurghada International Airport on February 8.
But campaign group Detained in Dubai said yesterday that Mr Camoccio had now been released from Egyptian custody after paying about £1,000 in bail and other related costs.
Detained in Dubai chief executive Radha Stirling said: “The case has been dismissed for lack of evidence, and Tony will be flying home to the UK on the next available flight from Cairo.
“While the charges were clearly without merit, we have to emphasise that had British authorities and the international press not paid attention to this case, there is no reason to believe that Tony would be a free man today.”
Mr Camoccio, who has visited Egypt several times, was at the end of his holiday with his wife and a large group of friends when the incident is said to have happened at an airport checkpoint.
He said: “I’m very excited to be heading home and can’t wait to see my family after the past week’s events.”