Colleague Mahmoud Hussein - in his first comment after his release - said that he is "happy to see Abeer Al-Hurriya", while Al-Jazeera Media Network said that his release represents a moment of truth and an inspiring milestone on the road to freedom of the press.

Yesterday, Saturday, the Egyptian authorities released our colleague Mahmoud Hussein, a journalist in the Al-Jazeera network, after more than 1500 days of his arbitrary detention.

Mahmoud Hussein was arrested in December 2016, while he was on vacation with his family.

Since that time, the Egyptian authorities have continued to extend his detention without charge, and without trial.

In a statement it issued, Al-Jazeera Media Network said that it “welcomes and is pleased with the release of colleague Mahmoud, and believes that no journalist should be exposed to the suffering he has suffered during the past four years, as his freedom has been robbed, and he was arbitrarily arrested with no crime other than that he sought to convey the news professionally. Objectively. "

The Al-Jazeera statement added, "The network is delighted that the colleague has finally returned to his family and children, and the Al-Jazeera family and colleagues hope that he will quickly overcome the effects of this ordeal and start a new chapter in his distinguished career."

A symbol of press freedom

Al-Jazeera Media Network indicated that during his arbitrary detention, Mahmoud became a symbol of freedom of the press around the world.

On Colleague's Freedom Day, the network seeks freedom for all journalists who are unjustly behind bars everywhere.

The Al-Jazeera network also praised what international human rights organizations and international media organizations expressed in condemning his arbitrary detention throughout this period.

The network’s statement thanked all organizations and bodies, and all voices of truth that called for the freedom of Mahmoud Hussein and the freedom of the press.

His only sin

In the context, "Reporters Without Borders" said - in a statement - that his release shows that the conditions of his detention have no legal basis, and that his only sin is his work for Al-Jazeera.

The organization added that the decision to release him on parole does not completely do him justice, but rather places him in the position of a suspect always in the eyes of the authorities.

In his first comment after his release, colleague Mahmoud Hussein said - in his post on Facebook - “I, Mahmoud Hussein, a journalist for Al-Jazeera channel for the first time after Nelly Al-Hurriya, came to you from this window, through my daughter Al-Zahra’s account, because I have not activated my accounts on the communication sites yet. ".

He continued in the post, "I am very happy to return to my family and call Abeer Al-Hurriya again, and I repeat my thanks to everyone inside and outside Egypt."

He added, "I reiterate that my imprisonment was a normal period, during which I was treated well, and I was not subjected to harassment by the prison administration."

"I used to receive my family visits periodically, and I also used to obtain medicines and basic living necessities," he said.