In a seeming reversal of his fortunes, Al-Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy has been given a new trial date. Egypt’s foreign minister had told his Canadian counterpart John Baird last week that Fahmy was likely to be released from prison in a few days.
Family’s ‘worst nightmare’
Fahmy’s brother, Adel, called the announcement the family’s “worst nightmare” and criticized Canada’s prime minister for not intervening in the case.
Defense lawyer Amal Clooney has requested a meeting with Egypt’s president and plans to visit Fahmy soon.
Fahmy and two colleagues were arrested in December 2013 and convicted of terror charges. The trial has been roundly criticized and called a sham. The three were each sentenced to between seven and 10 years in prison.
But Australian journalist Peter Greste was released and deported to Australia a week ago. It was expected the same would happen to Fahmy after he renounced his Egyptian citizenship. He remains a Canadian citizen.
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