Mandela cellmate demands AJ staff freedom

Ahmed Kathrada, who was jailed with late South African president, compares situation in Egypt to Apartheid South Africa.

A cellmate of Nelson Mandela has called on the Egyptian government to release four Al Jazeera journalists imprisoned since last year.

Ahmed Kathrada, who was Madela’s cellmate at Robben Island, told Al Jazeera that press freedom was important to protect democracy from government violations.

The trial of Baher Mohamed, Peter Greste and Mohammed Fahmy continues on Saturday.

A judge is also expected to review the detention of Al Jazeera Arabic’s Abdullah Elshamy.

Source: Al Jazeera