Canadians freed from prison in Egypt

It’s the news their families have been waiting for. Two Canadians held for seven weeks in an Egyptian prison in what they’ve described as brutal conditions, have finally been freed.

John Greyson and Tarek Loubani were arrested on August 16th during violent anti-government demonstrations in Cairo.

Greyson is an associate professor at York University and Tarek is an emergency physician in London. they were on their way to Gaza to take part in a collaboration between western doctors and physicians when they were arrested.

The two men had said they were beaten and have been held in squalid conditions. Greyson’s sister arrived in Toronto from Halifax this morning.

She says the two men are in good health and have been slowly learning about the large amount of support from back home.

“I actually didn’t realize he was calling so i just picked up the phone and it was his voice and i was so surprised, blown away. So immediately i started crying and was very excited to talk to him and it was a very quick conversation but he wanted to just tell us that he was safe and in a hotel, and that him and Tarek had both been released from prison, and that they were just trying to arrange their travel details back to Canada.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomed the news of the two men’s release while on his trip to Malaysia.

“The government of Canada has obviously been pushing for that and welcomes this decision by the government of Egypt and we look forward to seeing these two Canadian citizens return home.”

York University’s president has also released a statement saying: “We are relieved and grateful that John and Tarek have been released from prison. We look forward to their safe and swift return to Canada, and to welcoming John back to York.”

There’s no word yet on when the two men will return to Canada, though Ottawa says it’s working to help them leave Egypt.