Egypt frees two Canadians detained amid Cairo clashes

The two men were detained in Cairo in mid-August

Egypt's military-backed authorities have released
two Canadians held without charge for seven
weeks, the Canadian government says.
Dr Tarek Loubani and film-maker John Greyson were
accused of taking part in deadly political clashes in
Cairo.
The men insisted Dr Loubani was just helping injured
protesters, while Mr Greyson filmed the violence.
The releases come hours before fresh demonstrations
are expected in central Cairo.
Supporters and opponents of ousted President
Mohammed Morsi have said they will take to the streets

Stunned

No details were immediately available about the
reasons for the Canadians' release.

Security forces block off an entrance to Tahrir Square
ahead of planned demonstrations

Dr Loubani's brother Mohammed told the Toronto Star
that the pair had not known they were about to be
freed.
"They just came to their cell and said, 'Come with us,' "
Mohammed Loubani said.
"They had no idea what was happening until they
arrived at the police station. They were stunned."
The pair spent three weeks on hunger strike to protest
their innocence.
They also said they were treated with brutality while in
prison.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper "welcomes
this decision by the government of Egypt" to set the
pair free, AFP news agency reported.
"We look forward to seeing these two Canadian citizens
return home in the not-too-distant future," he told
reporters in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Extra security
Tahrir Square is once again likely to be the centre point
of Egypt's crisis, says the BBC's Quentin Somerville in
Cairo.
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to
gather to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-
Israeli war.
There will be a grand display of military hardware in
Tahrir Square and across the capital.
Extra security including metal detectors and armed
troops have been placed around the square in
anticipation of protests by Morsi supporters.
They view the military-backed government as
illegitimate.
The interior ministry has said it will deal firmly with any
lawlessness.
Four people were killed on Friday as Morsi supporters
clashed with opponents and security forces.
Hundreds of Islamist protesters have died in violence
since the Egyptian military deposed Mr Morsi in July, 13
months after he was elected as president.