Cairo : Egypt has ordered the release of Al Jazeera journalist Abdullah Elshamy on medical grounds, ending almost a year of jail time – a third of that on hunger strike – without any charges against him.
Elshamy has been on hunger strike for 147 days to protest of his prolonged imprisonment without charge, Al Jazeera reported.
He was arrested last Aug 14 while covering the violent dispersal of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was ousted by the army in July.
A statement from the prosecutor’s office on Monday confirmed Elshamy release along with 13 others due to deteriorating “health conditions”.
Elshamy’s lawyer said that he is due to be released Tuesday.
Al Jazeera English journalists Peter Greste, Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy are still behind bars, and the network continues to call for their freedom.
The three journalists were arrested as they were accused of reporting “false news” and aiding the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
Egyptian prosecutors have demanded the maximum penalty of 15-25 years in jail for the three journalists.
A verdict on their case is due June 23.