Egypt releases Al Jazeera reporter after 4 years amid thaw in Qatar ties
Hussain arrested on charges of spreading false news, belonging to Muslim Brotherhood
Cairo: Egypt has released Mahmoud Hussain, a reporter at the Qatari news television network, after more than four years of pre-trial detention, his family said.
Hussain, now 54, had been arrested in 2016 on charges of spreading false news about Egypt and belonging to the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood designated as a terrorist organization.
“Dad has arrived at home,” his daughter Al Zahra said in a Facebook post.
His release comes amid a thaw in ties between Egypt and Qatar. Last month, Egypt and Qatar agreed to resume their diplomatic links after they were severed more than three years ago as part of a regional row.
Moment of truth
Al Jazeera called Hussain’s release a “moment of truth” and an “inspiring station”. The television showed footage from Hussain’s reunion with his family in Giza near Cairo.
Last month, Egypt signed a declaration at a Gulf summit held in the Saudi city of AlUla ending a dispute between Qatar and a Saudi-led bloc.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain also ended the rift with Doha at the January 5 historic Gulf summit.