Wael Ghonim, Google Executive, Released In Egypt

After several rumors throughout the day, Google has now confirmed that its executive Wael Ghonim was freed today by Egyptian authorities.

Ghonim himself announced the news in a tweet, stating: "Freedom is a bless that deserves fighting for it. #Jan25"

Google tweeted, "Huge relief--Wael Ghonim has been released. Our love to him and his family."

The Google marketing manager was missing since Jan. 27 and had been taking part in protests in Cairo.

Ghonim's role is head of marketing in the Middle East and North Africa for Google.

Comments

[bigsky3]

12:46 PM on 02/08/2011

Here's a subtitled version of his Dream TV interview. So moving.

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/08/subtitled-video-of-wael-ghonims-emotional-tv-interview/

[Drewry]

08:00 AM on 02/08/2011

Thank the Good Lord he is safe and sound. Very happy he is free! =)

http://www.DrewryNewsNetwork.com

[Gus Collins]

03:25 AM on 02/08/2011

Whew...I thought he was doomed~ so glad he is free!!!

[0x00000000]

01:49 AM on 02/08/2011

I'll bet he pressed the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button!

[maslin]

03:35 AM on 02/08/2011

Probably the best Google joke available under the circumstances.

[hottingers]

06:54 PM on 02/07/2011

Did they use Bing to find the way to get him released?

[Johann Q]

07:48 PM on 02/07/2011

ha... big joke.

Got a worse one: Did they use Bing to find the way to get him released and Bing then skimmed the results from Google? :P

[Rocket448]

06:39 PM on 02/07/2011

I immediately assumed the graphic was Wael's personal icon....the context informed my guess. C'mon, HuffPo readers who complained about the graphic -- you're more imaginative than that.

[Kanzi]

05:34 PM on 02/07/2011

Full transcript of the interview
http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/exiledsurfer/~Ab8xx

Last part of his Interview with Egyptian Dream TV after release, he left in tears unable to continue....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSKuFpSJzMU

[zelduh]

05:14 PM on 02/07/2011

REGARDING THE IMAGE USED IN THIS ARTICLE:

Wael Ghonim uses that image as HIS AVATAR on Twitter.

His name on Twitter is "@Ghonim" and if you go to www.twitter.com/#!/Ghonim you will see the same image.

So, methinks the article is paying homage to his own selected Twitter avatar.

[QueenNzinga]

04:21 PM on 02/07/2011

The interview Wael @Ghonim just gave to Dream television in Egypt probably just reinvigorated the movement. I would be surprised if there is a dry eye in Egypt that just watched that interview. Lord have mercy...what a beautiful Soul. God bless the Egyptian youth! http://www.bizontv.com/2010/05/dream-tv.html

[hopefull2008]

03:45 PM on 02/07/2011

.. meanwhile Apple is busy with their joint venture with News Corp.

[Johann Q]

07:50 PM on 02/07/2011

Oh yea... but Apple totally "thinks different".

[HopeyChangeyThingy]

03:24 PM on 02/07/2011

It was a conditional release though - Not until the AOL deal with this joint was inked.

[jcarterla]

03:20 PM on 02/07/2011

Is it telling that more people are commenting on this image fail? I mean it took me less than a second to find several images of him on google.

[Howard Morton]

02:51 PM on 02/07/2011

He must be happy. http://67-42-85-80.tukw.qwest.net/dog.htm

[CabCurious]

02:48 PM on 02/07/2011

This is really important news.

[jokerdanny]

02:42 PM on 02/07/2011

well i guess i can stop...searching for him, ha!