2 Canadians released from in Egyptian prison after Canada warns detention would mar relations
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Canada's Foreign Affairs department said late Saturday two Canadians held without charges for the past several weeks in Egypt have been released from prison.
Lynne Yelich, a Canadian minister of consular affairs, said Canada welcomes the decision to release John Greyson, a filmmaker and professor, and Tarek Loubani, a physician.
The pair has been held without charges since mid-August. The men say they were observing an anti-government demonstration Aug. 16 when Loubani heeded a call for a doctor and began treating wounded demonstrators while Greyson recorded the unrest on video.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The pair released a statement a week ago saying they were beaten and subjected to degrading treatment. Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird warned Egypt that the detention was a significant threat to relations between the two countries.
"Minister Baird and I were in contact with senior Egyptian officials on numerous occasions concerning this case, and the Embassy of Canada to Egypt worked tirelessly to secure their release," Yelich said in a statement.
The statement said Canadian officials are facilitating the departure of Loubani and Greyson from Egypt, and will continue to offer consular services to them.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Yelich also expressed appreciation to Egyptian authorities for providing consular access to the Canadians during their detainment.