Brussels, 02/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - The release of Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste, who has been detained for 400 days, is a positive step taken by the Egyptian authorities, stressed the spokesperson of EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, and she called for the release of his colleagues, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed who remain in custody.
“Freedom of expression is an essential element of a democratic society. Journalists must be able to work in a safe working environment”, stated the spokesperson. Australian journalist Greste was arrested in December 2013, along with Egyptian Canadian Mohamed Fahmy on charges of setting up the offices of Al Jazeera in a hotel room in Cairo “without permission”. Egyptian citizen Baher Mohamed was then arrested. All three work for Al Jazeera. They were found guilty in June 2014. Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years' imprisonment and Mohamed to ten years. (CG)