mohamed fahmy

Veteran journalist Mohamed Fahmy, once wrongfully imprisoned himself, writes about torture and arbitrary detention in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar.

"This is an unprecedented breach of human rights and freedom of expression... where leaders are using the war on terror, and turning it into a partial war on journalism," said Fahmy.

The journalist says government assistance is key in freeing a Calgary imam detained in Turkey and a Montreal professor arrested in Iran.

Freed journalist lashes out at Stephen Harper for washing his hands of his case and turnng the matter to more junior government members who could not help.

Former Al-Jazeera journalist, who was arrested in Egypt in 2013 with two colleagues and detained on terror-related charges, arrived in Toronto on Sunday.

Fahmy had long imagined in prison the moment he would return home.

Canadian journalist languished in jail thanks to John Baird publicly embarrassing the Egyptian government in an ill-timed public announcement.