Time and Tragic Optimism

It has been dubbed “media’s trial of the century”—from the televised arrest, incarceration in three of Egypt’s notorious prisons with some of the Middle East’s most hardened extremists, two show trials, and eventual pardon from the Egyptian president. Hear about it all from renowned award-winning international journalist Mohamed Fahmy himself.

Despite adverse conditions—including a permanent arm injury he suffered while in solitary confinement for a month—listen to how Mohamed kept his head held high in the terrorism-wing and focused on winning his freedom through 438 days of imprisonment on false grounds.

Through the efforts of his attorney Amal Clooney, the global social media campaign, and the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who advocated and fought for his release, Mohamed eventually was able to return to Canada where he has joined the University of British Columbia as an adjunct professor. In his efforts to “give back”, Mohamed, his lawyer, and wife Marwa Omara have started the www.FahmyFoundation.com to financially support and advocate for imprisoned journalists and champions of free speech globally. It was not an easy path home.

In this talk, hear the full truth about his fight for freedom and the case that became an international cause célèbre.