Egypt deports jailed Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste

Al Jazeera journalist Peter Greste was released on Sunday after spending 400 days in a Cairo prison, but the relief that the Australian journalist feels is restrained by concern for his two colleagues who remain imprisoned, his family said Monday.

Greste was released on Sunday and left Egypt for Cyprus. He had been sentenced to seven years on charges that included aiding a terrorist group, security officials said.

His Al Jazeera colleagues, Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy, the channel's Cairo bureau chief, and Egyptian national Baher Mohamed, a producer, remain in prison. They were jailed for between seven and 10 years on charges including spreading lies to help a terrorist organization — a reference to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Sunday that Greste had arrived in Cyprus and was "desperate" to return to his native Australia. Bishop said that Greste had been released "unconditionally."

Greste was accompanied by his brother Mike and was reported to be in good health.

Andrew Greste, Peter's other brother, said at a news conference in Brisbane on Monday that the journalist would not rest until his Al Jazeera colleagues were also freed.

"We are thinking of Baher, Mohamed and their families," said Andrew Greste, who said his brother was "safe, healthy and very, very happy."

Greste's deportation came amid a growing chorus of worldwide condemnation over the detention of the three journalists.

Al Jazeera Media Network welcomed Greste's release and demanded the release of his colleagues.

In a statement, Al Jazeera said the campaign to free its journalists in Egypt will not end till all three have been released. It said that all three have to be exonerated, and the convictions against its other journalists tried in absentia also have to be lifted. 

Mostefa Souag, acting Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network said: “We’re pleased for Peter and his family that they are to be reunited. It has been an incredible and unjustifiable ordeal for them, and they have coped with incredible dignity. Peter’s integrity is not just intact, but has been further enhanced by the fortitude and sacrifice he has shown for his profession of informing the public. 

“We will not rest until Baher and Mohamed also regain their freedom. The Egyptian authorities have it in their power to finish this properly today, and that is exactly what they must do."

The Managing Director of Al Jazeera English, Al Anstey, said he was relieved Greste was freed and on his way home to be reunited with his family, but spoke of the need to free Baher and Mohamed. 

"But we've got to focus that Baher and Mohamed are still behind bars, and seven of their colleagues that were sentenced to ten years in absentia are still sentenced today."

Greste, Baher and Mohamed had been falsely accused of colluding with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood in a case that sparked international condemnation.

On January 1 this year, Egypt's Court of Cassation overturned the sentences and ordered a retrial, but there is still no indication of what that trial will begin.