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Mohamed Fahmy says Canadian government 'delayed chances of freedom' Mohamed Fahmy, back in Canada, says Harper government delayed chances of freedom
(about 1 hour later)
Mohamed Fahmy, a former al-Jazeera journalist who was released from prison in Egypt in September, has returned to Canada with the hope of starting an election debate on how the Canadian government can better protects its citizens abroad.Mohamed Fahmy, a former al-Jazeera journalist who was released from prison in Egypt in September, has returned to Canada with the hope of starting an election debate on how the Canadian government can better protects its citizens abroad.
Fahmy said that he had arrived in Toronto with his wife on Sunday and had long imagined that moment when in prison.Fahmy said that he had arrived in Toronto with his wife on Sunday and had long imagined that moment when in prison.
Related: Peter Greste says fight not yet over despite al-Jazeera colleagues' freedomRelated: Peter Greste says fight not yet over despite al-Jazeera colleagues' freedom
His arrival ends a near two-year ordeal that raised questions about Egypt’s commitment to free speech and whether Canada’s Conservative government did enough to help him.His arrival ends a near two-year ordeal that raised questions about Egypt’s commitment to free speech and whether Canada’s Conservative government did enough to help him.
Fahmy was arrested in 2013 with two al-Jazeera English colleagues, Baher Mohamed and Australian Peter Greste. He was sentenced to three years in prison in a retrial this year after being found guilty of airing what a court described as “false news” and coverage biased in favour of the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.Fahmy was arrested in 2013 with two al-Jazeera English colleagues, Baher Mohamed and Australian Peter Greste. He was sentenced to three years in prison in a retrial this year after being found guilty of airing what a court described as “false news” and coverage biased in favour of the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.
The case was widely condemned by rights groups and others. He and his Egyptian co-defendant, Baher Mohamed, received a presidential pardon in September.The case was widely condemned by rights groups and others. He and his Egyptian co-defendant, Baher Mohamed, received a presidential pardon in September.
“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” Fahmy said. “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 recognised my face despite my attempts to keep my arrival quiet.“This is what I’ve been waiting for,” Fahmy said. “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 recognised my face despite my attempts to keep my arrival quiet.
“It was mind-boggling that the cab driver, passengers on the flight and strangers recognised me in the airport and knew the details of my story. I felt lots of warmth and love.”“It was mind-boggling that the cab driver, passengers on the flight and strangers recognised me in the airport and knew the details of my story. I felt lots of warmth and love.”
Greste was released a year before Fahmy and Mohamed and sent back to Australia.Greste was released a year before Fahmy and Mohamed and sent back to Australia.
The Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper, who is facing an election next Monday, has been criticised by Fahmy and others for not doing enough to get the journalist back to Canada. Fahmy said he made sure to come back to Canada amid the campaign because he feels it his responsibility to start a debate on the issue.The Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper, who is facing an election next Monday, has been criticised by Fahmy and others for not doing enough to get the journalist back to Canada. Fahmy said he made sure to come back to Canada amid the campaign because he feels it his responsibility to start a debate on the issue.
Fahmy said Harper’s “hyper-conservative approach directly damaged and delayed my chances for freedom”. He said the former foreign affairs minister, John Baird, damaged his case when he said during a press conference in Egypt that Canada would not prosecute Fahmy should he be turned over to Canada, something Fahmy called a diplomatic faux pas. He would have more to say about it at a press conference in Toronto on Tuesday.Fahmy said Harper’s “hyper-conservative approach directly damaged and delayed my chances for freedom”. He said the former foreign affairs minister, John Baird, damaged his case when he said during a press conference in Egypt that Canada would not prosecute Fahmy should he be turned over to Canada, something Fahmy called a diplomatic faux pas. He would have more to say about it at a press conference in Toronto on Tuesday.
A senior government official said Harper spoke to Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, earlier this year and sent several letters on Fahmy’s behalf, including a letter about four or five weeks ago.A senior government official said Harper spoke to Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, earlier this year and sent several letters on Fahmy’s behalf, including a letter about four or five weeks ago.
Fahmy has said he was not aware that Harper had called Sisi. He was grateful but asked: “Why aren’t they transparent about him making a call and taking a stand?”Fahmy has said he was not aware that Harper had called Sisi. He was grateful but asked: “Why aren’t they transparent about him making a call and taking a stand?”
Fahmy met the opposition Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau, late on Monday and has plans to meet the opposition New Democrat’s leader, Tom Mulcair, but had no plans to endorse a candidate.Fahmy met the opposition Liberal leader, Justin Trudeau, late on Monday and has plans to meet the opposition New Democrat’s leader, Tom Mulcair, but had no plans to endorse a candidate.
He also plans to take up a position as an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia’s school of journalism in Vancouver, and is writing a book about his experiences.He also plans to take up a position as an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia’s school of journalism in Vancouver, and is writing a book about his experiences.