Mohamed Soltan was among thousands detained after Islamist
president Mohamed Mursi was toppled in 2013 by the military under
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is now president.
An Egyptian court had condemned Soltan's father, Salah, to death.
"By the grace of God, we are incredibly happy to confirm that
Mohamed is on his way home after nearly two years in captivity,"
wrote Soltan's sister Hanaa on Facebook.
"After extensive efforts, the U.S. Government has successfully
secured Mohamed’s deportation back home to the U.S., mercifully
concluding this dark chapter for Mohamed and our family."
The family has run a campaign to free her 27-year-old brother, who
had been on hunger strike in detention and has appeared emaciated in
photographs. His U.S. citizenship has meant U.S. officials have
called for his release, citing concerns about his health.
A court said Mohamed had supported the Islamist movement and
transmitted false news. His family deny he was a member of the
Brotherhood, unlike his father, who was a senior figure in the
group.
"As you can imagine, after spending several hundred days on hunger
strike, and many months in solitary confinement, Mohamed's health is
dire," said Hanaa.
"He will receive medical treatment as soon as he arrives on U.S.
soil and will spend the immediate future with his family
recovering."
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After toppling Mursi, Sisi launched the toughest crackdown on
Islamists in Egypt's history. Security forces killed hundreds at
street protests and jailed thousands of others.
The White House has condemned Mohamed's life sentence, which in
Egypt would typically mean 25 years. His family is in constant
contact with the U.S. State Department and hopes he will be able to
come home, Hanaa said.
Hanaa told Reuters in April that her brother, who had studied at
Ohio State University, had hoped for peaceful change in Egypt
following the 2011 overthrow of long-term president Hosni Mubarak.
Egypt has declared the Brotherhood a terrorist group and accused it
of carrying out bombings. The Brotherhood says it is a peaceful
movement committed to democracy.
(Reporting by Michael Georgy; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
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