Faizel Patel, 2016-03-29
The International Relations Department (DIRCO) says it is yet to receive official confirmation of the release of a South African man detained in Egypt for more than a year.
Sheikh Abdul Salam Jad Bassiouni from Lenasia was freed from a police station in Egypt this early this morning.
He was arrested along with his son by the country’s national security at Cairo Airport in December 2014.
International relations Nelson Kgwete says they are aware of reports that Sheik Bassiouni has been released.
“We have seen media reports indicating that Sheikh Bassiouni has been released from jail in Egypt. However as government we’ve not been notified of the release and as such we are unable to confirm whether he has been released.”
He says the Egyptian authorities have maintained that Bassiouni is an Egyptian national.
“We are aware that they had said they are treating him as an Egyptian citizen and that he’s being treated in terms of Egyptian law.”
Kgwete says DIRCO is engaging with the Egyptian authorities to verify the release of Bassiouni.
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