Statement by Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau on Mohamed Fahmy

August 29, 2015

TORONTO – The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the sentencing of Canadian journalist, Mohamed Fahmy:

“Mohamed Fahmy has been outrageously sentenced to three years in an Egyptian prison as a result of an arbitrary and unjust process. Stephen Harper must call Egyptian President el-Sisi directly and demand the immediate return of Mr. Fahmy to Canada.

“The fact that Mr. Fahmy remains imprisoned is completely unacceptable. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot spoke with President el-Sisi on three occasions to secure the release of Australian citizen Peter Greste. Harper has failed to address Mr. Fahmy’s case with the same urgency and skill.

“The Liberal Party of Canada is extremely disappointed with today’s verdict, and has long called on Stephen Harper to intervene personally on Mr. Fahmy’s behalf. Harper has an obligation to use the full force of the Prime Minister’s Office to help Canadian citizens when they are unjustly imprisoned abroad. His inaction must end today.”