“Deeply disappointed” says a statement from the Canadian government in reaction to news that two Canadians will likely not be released from a Cairo jail for another 15 days pending investigation by prosecutors.
Filmmaker John Greyson and doctor Tarek Loubani reportedly went into a police station to get directions to their hotel when they were arrested on Friday. The two were passing through Egypt on their way to Gaza where Loubani teaches medicine and Greyson was scouting a film project.
Two Canadian cabinet ministers in charge of foreign affairs met with Egypt’s ambassador to Canada to try to secure the release of the two men, to no avail.
Greyson and Loubani are being held with several other foreigners. An Egyptian newspaper says they face a range of serious accusations including threatening security and social peace, belonging to an armed gang and being in possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.