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Rubio Welcomes Aya Hijazi Home from Three-Year Imprisonment in Egypt

Apr 21, 2017 | Press Releases

Miami, FL – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following statement today after Aya Hijazi returned home to the United States after being held in an Egyptian prison on bogus charges for nearly three years:

“During President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Washington earlier this month, I and many others in Congress urged him to free Aya, her husband and Belady Foundation colleagues, and all other political prisoners being held by the Egyptian government. I am glad President el-Sisi chose to take this step, and I appreciate President Trump’s work over the last few weeks to ensure Aya’s safe return. I welcome Aya home, and am very glad to see her reunited with her family.

“While Egypt remains a vital counterterrorism partner to the U.S., Egypt must change its current path. I urge President Trump to hold President el-Sisi accountable when it comes to democracy and human rights including the release of all political prisoners, whatever their citizenship status. I made these points clear in a floor speech that I gave on human rights in Egypt, and directly to President el-Sisi, and I will continue to do so in the future.”

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