Statement from York University President Mamdouh Shoukri on release of Professor John Greyson

On Sunday, Oct. 6, York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri issued this statement to the University community:

JohnGreyson-storyimageYork University is extremely pleased to learn that John Greyson (left), an associate professor at York University and director of York’s graduate program in film, and Tarek Loubani, an emergency medicine physician from London, Ontario, have been released from detention in Cairo, Egypt. In a statement issued late Saturday, Minister of State Lynne Yelich said that Canadian government officials are facilitating their return to Canada.

We are relieved and grateful that John and Tarek have been released from prison, where they had been held without charges since Aug. 16. Since their arrest, the University has been in contact with Canadian and Egyptian government officials to express our deep concern for their welfare and to advocate for their release.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to their families, friends, colleagues, and all those who have been actively involved in supporting them through this difficult time.

We look forward to their safe and swift return to Canada, and to welcoming John back to York.