London doctor freed from Egyptian jail

By John Miner

When the news was delivered over the public address system at London Health Sciences Centre, cheers from medical staff and patients erupted through the corridors.

London doctor Tarek Loubani and Toronto filmmaker John Greyson were finally freed from their Cairo prison after being held for 50 days without charges, but a last-minute glitch Sunday appeared to keep the two men grounded in Egypt.

The two were still awaiting final clearance to fly out of Cairo, unconfirmed media reports said.

They were booked to fly to Frankfurt, Germany, but were prevented from boarding because their names appeared on a “stop-list” issued by prosecutors. They were allowed to take their bags and leave the airport, airport sources said.

Their unexpected release from prison caught even Loubani and Greyson off guard, according to family. They didn’t know what was happening when they were summoned from their jail cell, transferred to a police station and then picked up by Canadian consular officials and taken to a hotel room.

“We’re just ecstatic and overjoyed,” said Dr. Amit Shah, a fellow medical professor at Western University and personal friend of Loubani.

“We’re over the moon,” said Cecilia Greyson, John’s sister.

But their status is still not settled, a family member said.

Western President Amit Chakma issued a statement upon hearing of the two men's release.