Convicted Jazeera journalist donates LE15,000 to Sisi’s Egypt initiative

Convicted Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy donated LE15,000 to the “Tahya Masr" bank account on Thursday.

Privately owned daily newspaper Al-Watan reported that large numbers of citizens lined up in front of the banks early in the morning on Wednesday wanting to donate to the bank account and to follow Sisi’s lead, after he donated half of his salary and fortune for the sake of Egypt. The newspaper added that citizens keep asking for “Sisi’s account,” which the newspaper expects will compete with other charity bank accounts during the month of Ramadan.

On Tuesday, the governor of the Central Bank opened an account in the name "Tahya Masr" (Long Live Egypt) to receive donations in support of the Egyptian economy. The account number is 03070307 in all banks around the country.

Fahmy stated that he instructed his family on their last visit to donate an amount of money on his behalf. The journalist added that Egypt is going through a tough time and every Egyptian who loves his country should contribute and help out.

According to privately owned Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper, Fahmy said, “This is the maximum I can do from behind the bars,” adding that he has always dreamed of doing more for his country.

Adel Fahmy, Mohamed's brother, told Mada Masr that his brother's decision has nothing to do with the verdict on Monday. “His love for his country is something and his discontent and refusal of the unjust verdict is something else,” explained the brother.

Adel Fahmy confirmed that earlier on Thursday, he headed to the National Bank of Egypt in new Maadi and made the donation, for which he showed the confirmation slip to Mada Masr.

On Monday, Australian journalist Peter Greste and Canadian-Egyptian journalist Mohamed Fahmy received a sentence of seven years in jail on charges of aiding a terrorist group by spreading false information. Al Jazeera producer Mohamed Baher received an extra three years for possessing a bullet.