The news of Al Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed’s release from an Egyptian jail last night came as a great relief to many, not least of whom was colleague and former cell mate Peter Greste.
The fellow journo, who was also imprisoned and then released in February this year, had his heartfelt and heartwarming reaction to the news caught on camera, the news reaching him while taking part in an episode of The Chaser‘s Media Circus. You can watch the feels fest below.
The three were imprisoned for almost 2 years after on charges of “aiding a terrorist organisation” – the Muslim Brotherhood. While they themselves and Al Jazeera had long maintained that such charges were entirely false, it took a pardon from President Abdel Fatta el-Sisi to see them freed.
In statement issued to media, Aj Jazeera’s acting director general Dr. Mostefa Souag said the news outlet is “delighted for them both and their families,” before adding that it was “hard to celebrate because this whole episode should not have happened in the first place.”
“They’ve lost nearly two years of their lives when they were guilty of nothing except journalism.”
This pardon comes as Greste and several other journalists remain on trial in absentia.
“The case for seven journalists convicted in absentia continues” Dr Souag explained, continuing by urging “the Egyptian authorities to quash their cases and let them too get on with their lives.”
