This article was published on February 7, 2011

Missing Google exec Ghonim released in Egypt [Updated]


Missing Google exec Ghonim released in Egypt [Updated]

Update at foot of post.

News service Al Arabiya is reporting from Egypt that missing Google executive Wael Ghonim has been released from custody after a ten day detention.

Ghonim has been missing since 28 January and has reportedly been adopted as an unofficial mascot for protesters calling for the removal of the country’s president, Hosni Mubarak.

Google recently appealed for help to find Ghonim, and yesterday it emerged that he had been imprisoned and was set for release at 4pm local time today. As it turned out, no news emerged from Egypt about a release as the promised time passed. By 5pm, a rumour was spreading that Ghonim was free and being carried away, “Deadly tired”, although this quickly turned out to be a misunderstanding.

The <3 of EU tech

The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!

We’re currently awaiting further details of Ghonim’s actual release.

UPDATE: The Wall Street Journal reports that the US State Department has received confirmation of Ghonim’s release.

Get the TNW newsletter

Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.

Also tagged with