Brisbane man Hazem Hamouda has finally returned to Australia, after he was detained in an Egyptian prison for 433 days without charge, his family has confirmed.
“We are so relieved that Dad is finally on his way home safely,” daughter Lamisse Hamouda said.
Mr Hamouda was first detained in January 2018, when he arrived at Cairo airport for a holiday with his family.
Just minutes after touching down, the father of six was taken away by Egyptian security and accused of associating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood and spreading false information via Facebook - claims denied by his family.
Hazem Hamouda with his four daughters Lamisse, Jasmine, Saja and Amira. Source: Supplied
He spent the next year locked in a cell with 13 other men.
The Egyptian-Australian's legal team had secured his release from one of Egypt’s most notorious prisons in Cairo, more than three weeks ago, but his departure from Egypt had been prevented by Egyptian authorities.
Overnight Mr Hamouda was permitted to leave Egypt, and was accompanied by the Australian Ambassador to Egypt through Cairo airport.
His children have thanked the pro-bono legal team at Doughty Street Chambers for their work towards their father's release.
"Barristers Jennifer Robinson and Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC leapt to dad’s defense, and we’re incredibly grateful to them," Ms Hamouda said.
“The support of the Australian Government and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been critical to Dad’s return.
“All we want now is time to recover with Dad, and make sure that his re-entry is as easy as possible.”
Barrister Caoilfhionn Gallagher said it was a family holiday which became a living nightmare for Mr Hamouda.
READ MORE
Egypt releases activist Abdel Fattah
"This marks the end to what has been a horrific 433-day ordeal for the Hamouda family," she said.
"Throughout that time, Hazem and his family have tirelessly fought for his freedom and for his safe return home to Brisbane.
"It is a testament to their dedication that Hazem is now safely away from Egypt.”
Barrister Jennifer Robinson added: “However, we must remember that there are many more men and women still imprisoned in Egypt or banned from leaving Egypt based on spurious charges and often simply for peacefully expressing their opinions of President al-Sisi’s regime.
Daughters of Hamez Hamouda, Lamisse Hamouda, Queensland Labor MP Duncan Pegg, Amira Hamouda and Jasmine Hamouda campaigning for their dad's freedom last month. Source: AP
"Hazem’s case has shone a spotlight on al-Sisi’s repression and the immense damage it causes for those affected and their families."
More than 20,000 people had signed a change.org petition to #BringHazemHome.
