Two remaining Al Jazeera journalists jailed in Egypt on charges of aiding a “terrorist organization” were freed on bail on Thursday after more than 400 days, but the court said the case against them was still pending.
The case triggered an international outcry and has been cited by government critics as evidence that Cairo is rescinding freedoms gained after a 2011 uprising toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak, allegations the government denies.
Mohamed Fahmy, a naturalized Canadian who gave up his Egyptian citizenship, was released on bail of 250,000 Egyptian pounds ($32,765). Baher Mohamed, who has only Egyptian citizenship, was released without bail. Judge Hassan Farid said the next hearing in their case would be on Feb. 23.
A third Al Jazeera reporter sentenced with them, Australian Peter Greste, was freed on Feb. 1 and deported.
The three were sentenced to between seven and 10 years on charges including spreading lies to help a terrorist organization — a reference to the Muslim Brotherhood.
The court’s decision comes ahead of an investment conference in Sharm al-Sheikh scheduled for March, which authorities hope will help improve Egypt’s image, which has been damaged by one of the fiercest security crackdowns in its modern history.