Canadians Dr. Tarek Loubani and John Greyson have been released following their detention in a Cairo prison where they were held without charges for more than seven weeks. Here's a timeline of their arrest, detention and release.
Aug. 16: Loubani, Greyson arrested
Dr. Tarek Loubani, a doctor from London, Ont., and John Greyson, a Toronto-based filmmaker and York University professor, are arrested in Egypt. En route to Gaza, the two are arrested amid a violent protest in Cairo. Friends say the two were lost and stopped at a recently attacked police station for directions to their hotel. Egyptian prosecutors say the two were participating in the attack with members of the Muslim Brotherhood. They are jailed in the notorious Tora prison on the outskirts of the capital.
Aug. 18: Feds call for release of all evidence
Ottawa calls on Egypt to release all its evidence against the men, with Minister of State for consular affairs Lynne Yelich requesting the disclosure of details of any charges. The Department of Foreign Affairs confirms that consular officials in Cairo have met with the two men.
Aug. 19: Canadian ambassador in Cairo demands explanation
The Canadian ambassador in Cairo David Drake visits the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, demanding that authorities explain the detentions.
Aug. 20: Families reject allegations
The pair's family and friends reject a news release from the Egyptian prosecutor general that does not specifically name names, but says a group of detained foreigners are accused of murder, attempted murder and threatening security and social peace. Greyson's sister, Cecilia, says the story is "far-fetched" and an attempt to justify the ongoing imprisonment.
Aug. 29: Prosecutor skips hearing
An Egyptian prosecutor skips a meeting in which the two men were expected to plead their case, crushing hopes for their imminent release. A lawyer representing Greyson and Loubani says he was told the Egyptian prosecutor may have had an overbooked schedule. The specific charges against the two are still undisclosed.
Sept. 10: Star support at TIFF
Major stars and filmmakers at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival throw their support behind Greyson and Loubani, issuing a statement calling for their immediate freedom. Canadian directors Atom Egoyan and Sarah Polley read the statement at a press conference. Over 300 artists including Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, Willem Dafoe and Paul Haggis sign their names to it.
Sept. 15: Detention extended
Egyptian authorities extend the pair's detention by another two weeks. The charges against them have still not been made clear. Under newly-implemented emergency measures, the two could be detained for up to two years, the prosecutor said.
Sept. 16: Hunger strike begins
Greyson and Loubani launch a hunger strike from their crowded Cairo jail cell. Family members say the men are refusing food to protest the arbitrary nature of their detention, accepting only liquids.
Sept. 24: Protesters rally
Protesters rally in London, Ont. and outside the Egyptian Consulate in Montreal demanding the men be freed. The rallies are part of a wider campaign in support of the two men, that includes an online petition and a Twitter campaign using the hashtag #FreeTarekandJohn.
Sept. 28: Loubani, Greyson release statement
The pair releases a statement from jail describing the "ridiculous conditions" of their continued detention and demanding their immediate release. They say they're sharing a small cell and a single tap that spouts Nile water with six other political prisoners. and
Sept. 29: Detention extended, PMO calls for their release
Hours after Egyptian prosecutors announce that the two men will be held for another 45 days, the Prime Minister's Office calls for their freedom. The PMO releases a statement saying that "In the absence of charges, Dr. Loubani and Mr. Greyson should be released immediately."
Oct. 1: Baird says "strong discussions" with Egypt underway
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird says that diplomatic efforts to secure the pair's release are ongoing at the "highest level." During a press conference in Ottawa, Baird says the federal government reacted as "strongly as possible" after hearing of the pair's extended detention and was engaged in "strong discussions with the Egyptian authorities."
Oct. 2: Hunger strike ends
After 16 days, Greyson and Loubani end their hunger strike. Their friend Justin Podur says the two are seen be a doctor and staff from the Canadian Embassy.
Oct. 5: Loubani, Greyson released
After 7 weeks being detained without charges in Cairo's Tora prison, Loubani and Greyson are released. Minister of State Lynne Yelich confirms the news in a statement, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the Canadian government welcomes the decision. No immediate details were given on what prompted their release.
Oct. 6: Loubani, Greyson barred from leaving Egypt
The pair tries to board a flight to Frankfurt, Germany, but their names are on a no-fly list. Greyson鈥檚 sister Cecilia says red tape is preventing them from leaving Egypt. Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he believes a 鈥渓ack of clarity and co-ordination with Egyptian bureaucracy鈥� is delaying the men鈥檚 return home.
Oct. 9: Thank-you message on YouTube
A video message from Loubani and Greyson is uploaded to YouTube. They thank their supporters in Canada and around the world, but warn that their ordeal is 鈥渘ot over鈥� since they鈥檙e still stuck in Egypt.
Oct. 10: Loubani, Greyson cleared to leave Egypt
The men are finally told they can leave the country. They are planning to fly to Toronto and address media at the airport.
Oct. 11: Loubani, Greyson return home
The men board a flight to Frankfurt, Germany en route to Toronto.
