Watch the video above: Journalists call for the release of Mohamed Fahmy. Sean Mallen reports.
TORONTO – Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy and two other journalists detained along with him in Egypt have been moved to a new, better prison, according to Fahmy’s brother Sherif.
Sherif was able to meet with his brother Wednesday after he had been moved to a prison known in English as “the farm” after being held for more than a month in the Tora prison.
And the Canadian government, silent so far on Fahmy’s detention, now say they’ve raised it with Egyptian officials.
“Thankfully he’s been moved to a prison with better conditions along with Peter and Baher, and they’re all being detained in the same cell,” Sherif said in a Skype interview from Kuwait City. “So I think that’s a good step.”
Sherif said all three are now given several hours a day outside, better cell conditions and Mohamed has received painkillers for his shoulder, which he injured several days before his arrest.
Mohamed Fahmy, Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed were arrested on Dec. 29, 2013 and held in the Tora prison on charges of assisting the Muslim Brotherhood, which his family has steadfastly denied.
Fahmy was working as the English-language bureau chief for Al Jazeera in Egypt. He and his two colleagues will be tried in the next month and, if convicted, could face up to 15 years in prison.
Sherif said several documents “proving Mohamed’s innocence” were not reviewed by an Egyptian court prior to his arrest but will be at his next court appearance.
“It’s ridiculous and it’s all propaganda, and we know this and people worldwide know this,” he said.
Mohamed is being provided consular services by the Canadian government but Sherif hopes Ottawa can do more: He wants them to speak out publicly for his brother’s release like the American and Australian governments have done.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Lynne Yelich was not available for comment Thursday and her office said they could not discuss “the individual concerned” due to privacy issues.
But a statement from her office said “Canadian officials are providing consular assistance to Mr. Fahmy and are in communication with his lawyer and speak regularly with his family in accordance with his officials.”
The statement added that Canadian officials have raised Fahmy’s case with Egyptian authorities.
READ MORE: Family of reporter arrested in Egypt wants Ottawa to do more
There is a growing movement worldwide seeking the release of all detained journalists in Egypt.
Al Jazeera officials, along with representatives of major Canadian news organizations, held a press conference for Fahmy Thursday afternoon during which they called for the immediate release of Fahmy and his colleagues.
Sherif said the arrests signal a deterioration of press freedom and civil rights in Egypt.
“They were just journalists doing their job, questioning, of course, and what’s happening now proves to the world that freedom of speech in Egypt is demolished,” Sharif said.
“It’s a message to all journalists that if you’re going to publish a story in Egypt it better be favouring whoever is currently in power.”
Comments