CAIRO — Three American students being held in Cairo for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at Egyptian security forces were released after an investigation, according to reports.
Bill Gates, the father of one of the students, 21-year-old Luke Gates, told FOX News Channel, “As of a couple of hours ago, [Luke] was at the police station … I’ve made flight arrangements to have him home tomorrow [Friday].”
“We’re just ecstatic,” Gates added. “[We’re] happy for the other boys as well.”
The sister of another student, 19-year-old Derrik Sweeney, also announced the news, citing a US official.
“US OFFICIAL CONFIRMED, THE BOYS ARE BEING RELEASED!” Nicole Sweeney posted on Twitter.
Gates and Sweeney, along with a third student, Gregory Porter, 19, were arrested Monday night near Tahrir Square. They were seen in Egyptian state TV footage lined up against a wall by a table with several ID cards, including an Indiana driver’s license.
The students were all on a study abroad program.
On Wednesday, Cairo’s prosecutor general ordered the three be detained for four days as investigations continued.
MENA reported that the Cairo prosecutor general imposed the four-day detention period and the trio was questioned in the presence of a defense lawyer, a US embassy official and a translator.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday that US consular officials were able to visit them “and our officials in Cairo do remain in close contact with Egyptian authorities regarding their cases.”
He added, “My understanding is that no formal charges have been brought against them.”