Sleepless nights for detained Canadian journalist who waits for a final verdict in his case

The last few days have been nerve-wracking for Mohamed Fahmy is awaiting a final verdict in his case bringing his long running legal drama to an end.

It’s been a 19 month ordeal for the Canadian journalist who has been facing terrorism charges in Egypt and has been accused of associating with the “Muslim Brotherhood.”

The charges in question have been widely denounced and support has continued to come from across the world.

In an interview with 660 NEWS, he admits he’s more optimistic this time around.

“It’s really nerve-wracking knowing that on Thursday the judge will decide on my destiny,” he said. “My family is very worried and we’re spending a lot of time together, I’m hoping this time around we’re exonerated but there are several scenarios on the table in terms of being realistic of where this trial is going.”

First and foremost he believes there are many factors that could affect this trial, among them the rift between Qatar (where Al Jazeera is based) and Egypt.

He’s hoping politics won’t impact the outcome of his case.

“There could be a suspended sentence if we’re found guilty and we would be allowed to leave or there could be a time-served if we are found guilty,” he said. “The best case scenario obviously would be to be fully exonerated or the worst case scenario is to head back to prison and that is something that is really worrying me as well but we are prepared for all scenarios to be honest.”

Fahmy’s lawyer Amal Clooney continues to keep in close contact with the Canadian Ambassador and has prepared deportation papers to have her client sent back to Canada if he’s sent to prison.

“Ottawa has been very supportive this time around in terms of endorsing Amal’s request,” he said. “I would not want to spend a single day in prison, one day in prison is intense here and I’m hoping the government can extract me this time around and get me back to Canada safely, Amal is planning to come to Egypt if I’m sent to prison to meet with Egyptian officials.”

“I feel optimistic this time around because I feel the judge himself is viewing the case in a totally different aspect. A technical committee of video experts that checked our videos that were so called evidence, reported to the judge that there is no fabrication whatsoever in the reports unlike the committee in the first trial who said there was fabrication so I’m very relieved that we will survive the charge of fabricating news.”

In terms of the terrorism charge, Fahmy believes the judge will see they had no malice intention or cooperation with the Muslim Brotherhood, but there are issues that still worry him.

“We hope that we journalists, don’t have to pay for the shortcomings of the channel (Al Jazeera) that has not provided the appropriate operational licenses like any network would have with the federal government in Canada,” said Fahmy.

He tells 660 NEWS he’s been inspired by the amount of Canadian support he’s received and adds it’s needed now more than ever.

“The one thing that I miss the most is just walking the Canadian streets and parks and not having to worry about people’s religions and races. In Canada, we have a relaxed lifestyle and in the Middle East here it becomes very complicated when politics are right in your face all the time.”

Fahmy would like to settle down in the Vancouver area and has signed a deal to be a lecturer at the University of British Columbia.

He also plans to write his book and continue his work thru the Fahmy Foundation.

“I am excited to just put this experience behind me and build towards a better future,” he said. “It’s extremely hard to sleep at night but I’m in constant communication with my lawyers, the media in Canada is so important because I honestly don’t remember the media in Canada and the opposition uniting behind one topic, fighting for freedom of the press.”

Listen to the full interview here:

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