TORONTO — Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy plans to attend a news conference hosted by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression today at Ryerson University in Toronto.
The former Al-Jazeera journalist, who was arrested in Egypt in 2013 with two colleagues and detained on terror-related charges, arrived in Toronto on Sunday.
Fahmy was sentenced to three years in prison in a widely-condemned retrial this year for airing what a court described as "false news'' and coverage biased in favour of the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.
He and his Egyptian co-defendant received a pardon last month while colleague Peter Greste of Australia was released earlier.
Fahmy — who has criticized Prime Minister Stephen Harper for not doing enough to get him back to Canada — said he made sure to come back to Canada amid the campaign because he feels it his responsibility to start a debate on the issue.
Fahmy met with Justin Trudeau on Monday night and tweeted that he and his wife "enjoyed meeting the tireless & inspirational" Liberal leader to "express gratitude for his support.
Fahmy also plans to meet with NDP Tom Mulcair but said he has no plans to endorse a candidate in the federal election.
The freed journalist also tweeted Monday that he is "excited to speak at Ryerson tomorrow 11am to thank those who supported me & highlight what Ottawa can do to better protect fellow Canadians."
Fahmy, who moved to Canada with his family in 1991, has said he plans to take up a position as an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia's school of journalism in Vancouver. He is also writing a book about his experiences.
— With files from The Associated Press.
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