Egypt to Release Hunger Striking Al Jazeera Journalist

Abdullah El-Shamy’s Parents

Earlier this year, BN reported that Nigerian-raised Egyptian Al Jazeera broadcast reporter, Abdullah El-Shamy, was arrested while covering the Egyptian military’s bloody crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood protesters in August, 2013 in Cairo. 

After almost a year of imprisonment without charge, El-Shamy will finally be set free soon, as Egypt’s prosecutor general has made the order for his release.

Elshamy, who has been on hunger strike since January, will be set free due to “health conditions.” Similarly, 13 other people will be freed on the same grounds.

Commenting on the Egyptian prosecutor’s statement that Elshamy will be released, Al Jazeera spokesperson Osama Saeed said, “This is a relief rather than a cause for celebration. Abdullah has been through a terrible ordeal for over ten months. He’ll want to spend time with his family and recuperate. When he’s ready, we look forward to seeing him back in action, doing the vital job of journalism that he so clearly loves.”

Al Jazeera English journalists Peter Greste, Baher Mohammed and Mohammed Fahmy are still behind bars, and Al Jazeera continues to call for their freedom. A verdict in their case is due on 23 June 2014.