Mohamed Fahmy Released From Prison, Receives Pardon

Nearly two years after his arrest in Egypt on widely denounced terrorism charges, Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy walked out of prison a free man Wednesday, Sept. 23, following a presidential pardon.

A triumphant Mohamed Fahmy poses with his wife Marwa Omara after being released from prison in Cairo, Egypt, on Sept. 23, 2015. Fahmy and his colleague Baher Mohammed were among a group of 100 people pardoned by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. AP Photo/Amr Nabil

Nearly two years after his arrest in Egypt on widely denounced terrorism charges, Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy walked out of prison a free man Wednesday, Sept. 23, following a presidential pardon.

Fahmy and his colleague and co-accused Baher Mohamed were among 100 people—including dozens of prominent human rights activists—pardoned by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on the eve of the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

“I am free! This time for real! Cops dropped me at CAC my old high school in my prison garb. Party Time! #FreeAJStaff,” Fahmy tweeted moments after his release.

Speaking later to reporters, Fahmy said he still “can’t believe it.”

“We have not digested the fact that we are free, we don’t have to worry about anything else,” he said. “Our families have suffered so much since the beginning of this trial and we’re very happy that el-Sissi took this action and released us.”

His wife, Marwa Omara, said she was visiting Fahmy in prison when she learned the news of his pardon from a TV set that was on.

“I was scared for his health from too much joy,” she said, adding that the first thing they plan to do is have a large wedding party to celebrate their recent marriage.

Fahmy’s lawyer, Amal Clooney, said she’s delighted that the journalist is finally free.

I am free! This time for real!

— Journalist Mohamed Fahmy