IPI says freeing Peter Greste won't weaken support for his colleagues
The International Press Institute (IPI) today welcomed the release of Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste, who spent 13 months in prison in Egypt, but it demanded the release of his two colleagues, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, who remain in custody.
Greste, an Australian national, was deported and taken to Cyprus, on his way to Australia, under a presidential order issued yesterday. Pursuant to a November 2014 decree, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has the power to deport foreign defendants or prisoners in the interest of national security.
"We're pleased for Peter and his family that they are to be reunited," Mostefa Souag, acting director general of the Al Jazeera Media Network, said in a statement yesterday. "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."
IPI said that Greste's release was good news, but the group stressed that was only the first step.
"While the release of Mr. Greste is positive, Egyptian authorities should be aware that his release only strengthens the resolve of observers around the world to keep pressing for the freedom of his colleagues," IPI Director of Advocacy and Communications Steven M. Ellis said. "Egypt's government should immediately release Mohamed Fahmy, Baher Mohamed and any other journalists targeted in connection with their work, and authorities should be prepared for continued scrutiny and criticism until that happens."
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Greste and his colleagues were among 20 Al Jazeera journalists convicted in early 2014 on charges accusing them of having ties to terrorist groups and falsifying news reports. Greste and the Canadian-Egyptian Fahmy were sentenced to seven-year terms. Mohamed, an Egyptian national, received 10 years, incurring the additional three years for being in possession of a spent bullet casing when he was arrested. Other journalists were similarly convicted, some in absentia.
Last month, an appeals court cancelled the sentences of Greste, Fahmy and Mohamed and ordered a retrial for the three men, citing procedural flaws in the original trial.
Speculation has circled that Fahmy might similarly be deported to Canada if he renounces his Egyptian citizenship. However, that option would not be available to Mohamed and his potential fate remains unclear, causing frustration among the correspondent community.
In his first interview after leaving Egypt, Greste said he felt "incredible angst about my colleagues, leaving them behind". He added: "If it's appropriate for me to be free, it's right for all of them to be freed."
As of December, 12 journalists were believed to be incarcerated in Egypt, nine of whom were detained in 2013.
