LONDON — “I feel born again,” Mohamed Fahmy said when asked what it’s like to be out of Egypt for the first time in nearly two years. “I can’t put in words, I have not digested it fully until this moment.”
Fahmy is exhausted, emotional and understandably relieved, but there’s little time to savour his newfound freedom given his hectic schedule.
Global News met with Fahmy in London, in between meetings with the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Amnesty International and a sold-out speech with his lawyer, Amal Clooney, at London’s prestigious Frontline Club.
The former Al Jazeera journalist captured world attention with his nearly two-year ordeal — including more than 400 days in prison. He was arrested in 2013 on charges of providing false news and other widely-denounced terrorism charges.
WATCH: Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy sat down with Global’s Jackson Proskow to discuss his recent release from an Egyptian prison, how he’s coping with his freedom and how the Canadian government could have done more to secure his release.
After losing two trials, Fahmy’s freedom was finally granted on Sept. 23, when he was pardoned by Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. But, his ability to leave Egypt remained in question as he waited for his name to be removed from the country’s no-fly list.
“I was worried that they wouldn’t let me go, even though I had been pardoned,” he explained.
In Cairo, Canadian Ambassador Troy Lulashnyk escorted Fahmy to his airplane Tuesday, to make sure he left safely.
He will spend a few days in Britain before returning to Canada with his wife, Marwa Omara.
What Fahmy wants more than anything is to use his experience to help shape Canada’s foreign policy when it comes to Canadians detained abroad.
“There are many lessons to be learned from this experience,” said Fahmy. “I really hope to start a debate, a constructive debate.”
READ MORE: Mohamed Fahmy wants Ottawa to do more for Canadians detained abroad
In the midst of a federal election campaign, Fahmy’s message is not expressly political. While not endorsing any one party, he offered praise for both Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and the NDP’s Tom Mulcair for their messages of support during his imprisonment. He certainly doesn’t shy away from his opinions about Stephen Harper.
Fahmy believes the Conservative government did not act strongly enough following his arrest in Cairo, on Dec. 29, 2013. “There wasn’t enough action from the highest levels quick enough,” he explained, believing a phone call from Harper to el-Sisi would have changed everything.
“This is when you need your prime minister to step in and make it very clear that you need to release this man immediately,” he said. “That didn’t happen.”
READ MORE: Mohamed Fahmy starts foundation to help imprisoned journalists
When asked if he’s angry at Harper, Fahmy responded: “I’m not an angry man at the moment, I just honestly, genuinely want to make changes in terms of foreign policy.”
In a statement, the Conservative government lauded Fahmy’s release.
“Canada has worked tirelessly, at the highest levels, on Mr. Fahmy’s behalf. We are grateful that his long ordeal is over,” said Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. “We look forward to Mr. Fahmy’s return and his reunion with family and friends. We wish him well as he embarks on a new chapter in his life.”
Despite being exhausted, Fahmy said he’s excited to return to Canada with his Omara. He explained imagining life back in Canada kept him going during his time in prison. “It was always a vision, a way of escapism for me in the cell.”
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