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Jailed Al-Jazeera reporter Peter Greste freed and deported from Egypt

By Andrew V. Pestano
Peter Greste, an Australian journalist working for al-Jazeera, was arrested on Dec. 2013. Photo courtesy Free Peter Greste
Peter Greste, an Australian journalist working for al-Jazeera, was arrested on Dec. 2013. Photo courtesy Free Peter Greste

CAIRO, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste was released from jail in Egypt and deported to Cyprus on Sunday after spending 400 days in jail.

Greste was arrested on Dec. 2013 on charges including reporting false news and endangering Egypt's national security. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.

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Two other al-Jazeera journalists, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, were arrested and sentenced to seven and 10 years, respectively. They remain imprisoned.

All three journalists maintain their innocence.

Greste's family released a letter he wrote.

"While we remain strong and determined to do whatever it takes to clear our names and win our freedom, 400 days still feels far too long to correct an injustice," he said in the statement.

Mostefa Souag, al-Jazeera's director general, released a statement on Greste's release.

"We're pleased for Peter and his family that they are to be reunited. It has been an incredible and unjustifiable ordeal for them, and they have coped with incredible dignity," Souag said. "Peter's integrity is not just intact, but has been further enhanced by the fortitude and sacrifice he has shown for his profession of informing the public."

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Souag also urged Egyptian authorities to release the remaining imprisoned journalists.

Egypt ranks 159 of the 180 countries listed in the 2014 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.

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