Al Jazeera welcomes freed journalist Baher Mohamed
Al Jazeera English journalist Baher Mohamed arrived in Doha on a visit to Al Jazeera headquarters after his release from an Egyptian prison. Baher was received by Al Jazeera Media Network’s acting Director General Dr. Mostefa Souag, Al Jazeera English Acting Managing Director Giles Trendle, various senior management of Al Jazeera and friends and colleagues.
Baher said on arrival: “I’m so happy to be here so that I can personally thank all my Al Jazeera colleagues who stood behind me throughout my ordeal.“
Upon receiving Baher, Dr. Mostefa Souag, Acting Director General said: "We are happy Baher and his small family are now with his extended Al Jazeera family. The network appreciates the courage Baher had shown during the difficult period of his arrest and sentence. In the name of honest journalism Baher has made huge sacrifices’ both personally and professionally. Baher is now a free man, but now he is also an ambassador for press freedom and fearless journalism”.
Baher added that he plans to continue to fight for press freedom: “I can’t stop thinking of my fellow journalists who are still behind bars. I promise every single one of them that I’ll do my best to reunite them with their loved ones. A new phase of the fight for press freedom will start from tomorrow.”
Baher, alongside his Al Jazeera colleagues Peter Greste and Mohamed Fahmy, were arrested in December 2013 by Egyptian authorities and were sentenced in June 2014 for periods of seven and ten years for allegedly reporting false news and aiding and supporting a terrorist group which were denied and rejected by our colleagues and Al Jazeera. Six other Al Jazeera staff were also sentenced in absentia for the same case.
In February 2015, Peter Greste was deported to Australia after a presidential decree while in September 2015, after they were re-sentenced by an Egyptian court, Baher and Fahmy were released after a Presidential pardon. Peter Greste however alongside the six other AL Jazeera staff are still sentenced in absentia.
During Baher’s incarceration he had missed the birth of his son Haroon in August 2014 and was separated from his young family and loved ones.
Dr. Souag also added: “Seeing Baher as a free man has strengthened Al Jazeera’s determination and commitment to continue our international campaign to end the injustice for our seven colleagues who are still sentenced in absentia. We call on Egyptian authorities to end this ordeal and case. Al Jazeera will not rest until they are all free. We will also continue to campaign for all journalists that are suffering from oppression wherever they are.”
