Close X
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
ADVT 
International

Mohamed Fahmy Asks Egyptian Authorities To Restore His Citizenship

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Dec, 2015 12:55 PM
    A Canadian journalist who was released from prison in Egypt this fall said Monday he has asked authorities in that country to restore the citizenship he renounced in hopes of regaining his freedom.
     
    Mohamed Fahmy said he initially refused to give up his Egyptian citizenship when it was suggested to him as a way of speeding up his release.
     
    But he eventually relented late last year after receiving reassurance that he could reapply for it at a later date, he said.
     
    Even so, it took almost a year — and a presidential pardon — before he was freed.
     
    Fahmy, who now lives in Vancouver, said he is seeking to recover his dual citizenship as a "matter of principle."
     
    "I kind of feel that it was unnecessary for me to renounce my citizenship to get out of prison," he said. "I've spoken to Egyptian officials and my lawyers have and we don't have a clear answer on why this happened."
     
    "So now I would like to claim it back," he said.
     
    "I will continue to fight for it as long as it takes and at any cost."
     
    He also said he plans to go back to Egypt one day and report from there, and feels he shouldn't need a visa to do so.
     
    For now, however, he is working as an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia and writing a book about his experience.
     
    Fahmy was arrested in 2013 with two Al-Jazeera English colleagues on terror-related charges.
     
    He was sentenced to three years in prison in a retrial this year for airing what a court described as "false news" and coverage biased in favour of the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.
     
    The case was widely condemned. He and his Egyptian co-defendant, Baher Mohammed, were pardoned in September. The other colleague, Australian Peter Greste, was previously released.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Indian Restaurant Owner In Dublin Attacked For Not Serving Drinks

    Indian Restaurant Owner In  Dublin  Attacked For Not Serving Drinks
    An Indian restaurant owner in Ireland was attacked by a drunk man after he was informed that the restaurant had stopped serving alcohol, a media report said on Monday.

    Indian Restaurant Owner In Dublin Attacked For Not Serving Drinks

    Indian Descent Man's Body Found In Fijian River

    Indian Descent Man's Body Found In Fijian River
    Fijian police is investigating the cause of death of an Indian descent man whose body was found floating in Labasa River, a report said on Monday.

    Indian Descent Man's Body Found In Fijian River

    Modi In UAE: Talks Investment, Visits Mosque, Meets Diaspora

    Modi In UAE: Talks Investment, Visits Mosque, Meets Diaspora
    Modi, who is here on a two-day official visit, was received by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the airport and accorded a ceremonial welcome

    Modi In UAE: Talks Investment, Visits Mosque, Meets Diaspora

    Indonesian Plane With 54 Aboard Crashes In Mountains

    Indonesian Plane With 54 Aboard Crashes In Mountains
    An Indonesian passenger airliner, reported missing earlier on Sunday with 54 people on board, was seen by local residents hit a mountain, authorities here said.

    Indonesian Plane With 54 Aboard Crashes In Mountains

    Curry Crisis: Scotland's Biggest Indian Restaurant Chain, Ashoka, Up For Sale

    Curry Crisis: Scotland's Biggest Indian Restaurant Chain, Ashoka, Up For Sale
    The Indian-descent owner of the chain, Sanjay Majhu, 48, has sold four of the 14 restaurants last year, including Ashoka West End in Argyle Street, Glasgow.

    Curry Crisis: Scotland's Biggest Indian Restaurant Chain, Ashoka, Up For Sale

    Indian Community In Washington Celebrates Independence Day

    Indian Community In Washington Celebrates Independence Day
    Over 350 community members attended the Independence Day celebrations at Embassy Residence and sang the national anthem.

    Indian Community In Washington Celebrates Independence Day