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Peter Greste: Al-Jazeera journalist freed by Egypt Peter Greste: Al-Jazeera journalist freed by Egypt
(about 3 hours later)
Jailed al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste has been deported from Egypt, state media say, and is flying to Cyprus. Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste has been freed and deported from Egypt and flown to Cyprus, bringing an end to 400 days behind bars.
The Australian ex-BBC correspondent was arrested in December 2013 and imprisoned last June on charges that included spreading false news. The Australian ex-BBC correspondent was arrested in December 2013 and tried on charges that included spreading false news and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood.
He was jailed with two other al-Jazeera men - Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed. Two other al-Jazeera men, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, remain in detention.
Presidential sources said Mr Fahmy would be deported to Canada after his dual Egyptian nationality was dropped. Reports said Mr Fahmy would be deported to Canada, but concern remains about Mr Mohamed, who holds no dual nationality.
Mr Fahmy, who holds dual Egyptian and Canadian citizenship, may be freed after having his Egyptian nationality revoked, presidential sources said.
All the defendants denied the charges against them and said their trial was a sham.All the defendants denied the charges against them and said their trial was a sham.
They were accused of collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013. The three men said they were simply reporting the news. They were accused of collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013.
In their defence, the three men said they were simply reporting the news.
Mr Greste's brother Andrew said in a statement: "We're ecstatic that Peter has been released and we now ask if the world could respect his privacy, to give him time to appreciate his freedom before he faces the media."Mr Greste's brother Andrew said in a statement: "We're ecstatic that Peter has been released and we now ask if the world could respect his privacy, to give him time to appreciate his freedom before he faces the media."
Al-Jazeera tweeted that it welcomed Peter Greste's release and demanded Mr Fahmy and Mr Baher be freed. Al-Jazeera tweeted that it welcomed Peter Greste's release and demanded Mr Fahmy and Mr Mohamed be freed.
Mostefa Souag, acting director-general of al-Jazeera media network, said in a statement: "We're pleased for Peter and his family that they are to be reunited. It has been an incredible and unjustifiable ordeal for them, and they have coped with incredible dignity...Mostefa Souag, acting director-general of al-Jazeera media network, said in a statement: "We're pleased for Peter and his family that they are to be reunited. 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."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.""The Egyptian authorities have it in their power to finish this properly today, and that is exactly what they must do."
International campaign 'Relieved and delighted'
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi had said in November he was considering the possibility of granting pardons to the two foreign al-Jazeera journalists. He had earlier signed a decree on repatriating foreign prisoners. Mr Greste's release came after a long campaign and a series of hints from Egyptian officials.
In November, President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said he was considering the possibility of granting pardons to the two foreign al-Jazeera journalists. He had earlier signed a decree on repatriating foreign prisoners.
Then in January, Egypt's top court ordered a retrial of all three men.Then in January, Egypt's top court ordered a retrial of all three men.
A statement by the Egyptian Interior Ministry said it had been "decided to extradite Australian journalist Peter Greste... to his country today, 1 February (2015)... after the cabinet's approval, in enforcement of the Presidential Decree no. 140 for the year 2014 regarding the rulings on extraditing defendants and deporting the convicts". Mr Greste's release was eventually confirmed by a statement issued by the Egyptian Interior Ministry.
The statement said it had been "decided to extradite Australian journalist Peter Greste... to his country today, 1 February (2015)... after the cabinet's approval, in enforcement of the Presidential Decree no. 140 for the year 2014 regarding the rulings on extraditing defendants and deporting the convicts".
An official told Associated Press the release had been co-ordinated with the Australian embassy in Cairo.An official told Associated Press the release had been co-ordinated with the Australian embassy in Cairo.
Cairo airport officials reported that Mr Greste had left on a plane for Cyprus at about 16:00 (14:00 GMT). Mr Greste left Cairo for Larnaca, Cyprus at about 16:00 local time on Sunday. His brother Mike and airport officials later confirmed that he landed at Larnaca airport.
The BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo says Egyptian law requires those deported under these circumstances to either finish their sentence in their home country or be put on trial again there, and it is unclear whether the Australian authorities have agreed to that. He is now expected to travel to his native Australia, where his parents Lois and Juris, and brother Andrew, are due to speak at 10:00 on Monday (00:00 GMT).
Timeline: Journalists' detentionTimeline: Journalists' detention
29 December 2013: Peter Greste and Mohamed Fahmy arrested in police raid on Cairo's Marriott Hotel. Baher Mohamed later arrested at home
How journalists were jailed in EgyptHow journalists were jailed in Egypt
Who are the jailed journalists?Who are the jailed journalists?
Colleagues' joy
There has been a huge international campaign to try to secure the release of the reporters.There has been a huge international campaign to try to secure the release of the reporters.
Al-Jazeera's managing director Al Anstey said: "I can't tell you how relieved we are that Peter has left Egypt and is on his way to be reunited with his family."
Sue Turton, an al-Jazeera journalist charged in absentia and sentenced to 10 years in prison by Egypt's court, told the BBC all her colleagues "were delighted" that he was released.
She said one of her colleagues managed to talk to Mr Greste on the phone as he waited at a departure lounge at Cairo's airport. She said "he was joking, and obviously he's elated. But his second sentence straight after that elation was - we've still got to get the other two out".
Mr Fahmy holds Egyptian and Canadian citizenship and was al-Jazeera's Cairo bureau chief.Mr Fahmy holds Egyptian and Canadian citizenship and was al-Jazeera's Cairo bureau chief.
His fiancee, Marwa Omara, quoted by Reuters, said she was "hopeful" he would also soon be released and deported to Canada.His fiancee, Marwa Omara, quoted by Reuters, said she was "hopeful" he would also soon be released and deported to Canada.
Mr Mohamed, a producer, is an Egyptian national and therefore not subject to deportation. His fate is not clear.Mr Mohamed, a producer, is an Egyptian national and therefore not subject to deportation. His fate is not clear.
In their original trial, Mr Greste and Mr Fahmy were sentenced to seven years and Mr Mohamed to 10.In their original trial, Mr Greste and Mr Fahmy were sentenced to seven years and Mr Mohamed to 10.
The case has caused tension between Egypt and Qatar - where al-Jazeera is based - although ties between the nations have improved recently.The case has caused tension between Egypt and Qatar - where al-Jazeera is based - although ties between the nations have improved recently.