Egyptian-Americans Finally Freed From Cairo
Cairo Prisoners | Photo Credit Reuters
In response to Egypt’s brutal crackdown, an Egyptian-American charity worker was imprisoned for three years in Cairo. On Thursday, the Americans returned home thanks to negotiations by the Trump administration.
Trump and aides have been working for weeks with the Egyptian President, Abdel Fatah al-Sissi to free U.S. citizen, Aya Hijazi, and her husband, Mohamed Hassenein, along with four other humanitarian workers.
Trump sent a U.S. government aircraft to Cairo to bring the family back to Washington, D.C.
Obama’s Administration Failed Rescue
Cairo Prisoners | Photo Credit AP
The Washington Post reports:
“The couple and their co-workers had been incarcerated since May 1, 2014, on child abuse and trafficking charges that were widely dismissed by human rights workers and U.S. officials as false.”
“Virtually no evidence was ever presented against them, and for nearly three years they were held as hearings were inexplicably postponed and trial dates canceled. Human rights groups alleged that they were abused in detention.”
Obama’s administration unsuccessfully attempted to free these individuals, but Trump’s move to reset U.S.-Egyptian relations led Egypt to have a change of heart and drop charges against Hijazi and the others.
No Real Evidence To Hold These Citizens
Cairo Prisoners | Photo Credit AP
NBC News reports:
“She was kept in pretty isolating circumstances” and “not even her lawyers can have time with her,” McMullen said of Hijazi, who was born in Egypt and grew up in Falls Church, Virginia.”
“The prosecution quickly realized they didn’t have enough evidence to substantiate [the charges],” he added. Despite their long detainment, the couple told their attorney that they won’t forsake their charitable causes and are only emboldened to redouble their efforts.”
“Just talking with them tonight, their spark is still there to make the world a better place,” McMullen said. “Whether it’s street children in Egypt or for any causes, once they’re back on their feet, they’ll be committed and working to make the world a better place.”
