Two Canadians released from prison in Egypt

John Greyson and Tarek Louban had been held since April without charges, say they were beaten during incarceration

By AP 6 October 2013, 8:05 am

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TORONTO — Canada’s Foreign Affairs department said late Saturday two Canadians held without charges for the past several weeks in Egypt have been released from prison.

Lynne Yelich, a Canadian minister of consular affairs, said Canada welcomes the decision to release John Greyson, a filmmaker and professor, and Tarek Loubani, a physician.

The pair has been held without charges since mid-August. The men say they were observing an anti-government demonstration August 16 when Loubani heeded a call for a doctor and began treating wounded demonstrators while Greyson recorded the unrest on video.

The pair released a statement a week ago saying they were beaten and subjected to degrading treatment. Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird warned Egypt that the detention was a significant threat to relations between the two countries.

“Minister Baird and I were in contact with senior Egyptian officials on numerous occasions concerning this case, and the Embassy of Canada to Egypt worked tirelessly to secure their release,” Yelich said in a statement.

The statement said Canadian officials are facilitating the departure of Loubani and Greyson from Egypt, and will continue to offer consular services to them.

Yelich also expressed appreciation to Egyptian authorities for providing consular access to the Canadians during their detainment.