Mohamed Fahmy, a Canadian journalist for Al-Jazeera who has spent over a year in prison in Cairo was released today after being granted bail while awaiting a retrial on terror-related charges.
Fahmy a dual citizen of Egypt and Canada posted about U.S. $33,000 in bail. He is not required to pay but is barred from leaving the country before his retrial on Feb. 23.
Al Jazeera applauded their decision to grant them bail on Thursday, but said more needs to be done.
“Bail is a small step in the right direction, and allows Baher and Mohamed to spend time with their families after 411 says apart,” Al Jazeera said. “The focus, though, is still on the court reaching the correct verdict at the next hearing by dismissing this absurd case and releasing bot these fine journalists unconditionally.”
The three were arrested in Egypt in December 2013, accused of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and broadcasting footage that portrayed the regime falsely with the intention of bringing it down.
They have consistently denied the charges or any ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, saying they were only doing their jobs.