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June 18, 2014

Hunger-Striking Al Jazeera Journalist Freed After 10 Months in Prison 
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An Al Jazeera journalist who staged a lengthy hunger strike against his
imprisonment in Egypt has been freed after 10 months behind bars.
Abdullah Elshamy was arrested after covering a crackdown on a sit-in
staged by Muslim Brotherhood supporters. He and 12 others were ordered
released on medical grounds. Speaking outside the prison, Elshamy said
his ordeal has changed him for life.

Abdullah Elshamy: "I have won, and everybody who is a freedom fighter,
either a journalist or anyone doing his work credibly and with honesty,
has won, because this isn't — I mean, this experience has changed
my life. I am not the person who I had been anymore. I am now more
determined than before to carry on with this struggle, not just because
of me, because for everyone to be able to do their job freely. A hundred
and forty-nine days of hunger strike is an experience, of course, I will
never forget in my life. Everyone who has been into this battle, the
battle of hunger strike, has always won; there have never been any
losers."

Three other Al Jazeera journalists — Peter Greste, Baher Mohamed
and Mohammed Fahmy — remain behind bars following their arrest in
December. Their case is up for judicial review next week.

 

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