AJ’s Mohamed Fahmy Compelled to Quit Egyptian Citizenship

#FreeAJStaff

Peter Greste |His family spoke of their happiness at his release from prison

There was a sigh of relief as Peter Greste,one of the three Al Jazeera journalist  of Australian nationality, who had been behind bars for 400 days was freed from prison and deported.However,Peter,who was released on Sunday said he felt “incredible angst” at leaving his colleagues in a Cairo jail reiterating that,”If it’s right for me to be free then it’s right for all of them to be free.”Peter further said that he will not rest until his two colleagues are also released.

Mohamed Fahmy, one of two al-Jazeera journalists still held in Egypt, has renounced his Egyptian citizenship to secure his release,says family spokesperson.

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In concerted efforts to secure the release of Mr. Mohamed Fahmy,his fiance and his mother pushed him to relinquish his citizenship after authorities were reported to have gave him a choice between “dropping the nationality or his freedom.”This move has however been termed as a very difficult decision by Mr. Mohamed’s brother,Adel who told reporters that Mohamed is very proud and comes from a patriotic family of high-ranking military and policemen that have defended this country and fought its wars.” Mr. Adel further said that many family members were offended by Mr. Mohamed’s decision to relinquish his citizenship.The BBC quotes John Baird,Canadian Foreign Minister as having said on Monday that Mr. Mohamed release was “imminent”.However,it remain unclear whether a decree issued by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi last November allowing the deportation of foreign prisoners  will apply to Mr. Mohamed’s case as concerns arise about the fact that he is an Egyptian who hold no dual citizenship.

Reporters Without Borders campaign estimates show that there are currently 165 journalists imprisoned around the world, including 15 in Egypt.

Story by Jeremiah Wakaya

Senior Editor

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