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Defiant Google Exec Wael Ghonim Released From Egyptian Custody

6 p.m. EST 2/7: Updated with release confirmation A defiant Wael Ghonim was released Monday after over a week in Egyptian custody. The Google executive confirmed his own release on Twitter and said he had told the man who set him free, ruling party secretary Hosam Badawry, to resign. “That’s the only way I’ll respect […]
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6 p.m. EST 2/7: Updated with release confirmation

A defiant Wael Ghonim was released Monday after over a week in Egyptian custody. The Google executive confirmed his own release on Twitter and said he had told the man who set him free, ruling party secretary Hosam Badawry, to resign.

"That's the only way I'll respect him," Ghonim tweeted.

First word of Ghonim's release came from Google. "Huge relief--Wael Ghonim has been released. Our love to him and his family," Google said in a Tweet at approximately 9 pm Cairo time.

On Ghonim's own Twitter feed, silent since Jan. 27, came two messages — one relieved, one defiant — at about the same time.

"Freedom is a bless that deserves fighting for it. #Jan25," Ghonim said first from his Blackberry. And then: "Gave my 2 cents to Dr. Hosam Badrawy. who was reason why I am out today. Asked him resign cause that's the only way I'll respect him #Jan25."

Egyptian authorities broke their silence on Ghonim's whereabouts over the weekend, telling family members and friends he'd be released Monday. Until then it had been widely assumed that Ghonim was in Egyptian custody.

Last week, Google issued a plea for information on its missing employee, who was in Cairo for a conference. The company on Monday declined to elaborate beyond its Tweet.

In addition to being the top Google marketing executive in the Middle East, Ghonim is an internet activist who had been critical of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in the days leading up to the violence that has paralyzed Egypt.

Ghonim hadn't been heard from since January 27th, the night before protesters held what they called a "Day of Rage" filled with violent clashes between police and protesters.

Since his disappearance, Ghonim has become a symbol to internet activists who have struggled to overcome internet and cell-phone blackouts, which have accompanied widespread media repression, including violent attacks against journalists that have left at least one reporter dead.

Ghonim, described by The Journal as a father of two who is in his 30s, is thought to be the anonymous activist who created the Facebook page that first called for the Jan. 25 protest that sparked the uprising, according to The New York Times.

Ghonim has also been a volunteer for the pro-democracy campaign of Mohammed ElBaradei, the former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who has returned to Egypt to oppose Mubarak.

Ghonim — who tweets @ghonim — posted the following ominous message on Twitter before he disappeared: “Pray for Egypt. Very worried as it seems that government is planning a war crime tomorrow against people. We are all ready to die.”

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*Photo from Wael Ghonim's Facebook page.
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