Drexel student's release from Egyptian jail expected soon

The attorney for a Drexel University student being held along with two other Americans by Egyptian police for allegedly throwing Molotov Cocktails during a pro-democracy protest, said his client is one step closer to being released.

Theodore Simon, a Philadelphia attorney representing the family of Gregory Porter, said "certain necessary administrative steps" that precluded the students release from police custody have been resolved and he expects his client to be on his way home "very soon."

Porter and two other students, Luke Gates, 21, of University of Indiana, and Derrik Sweeney, 19, of Georgetown University, have been detained since Monday when they were arrested for allegedly throwing firebombs at police from a rooftop in the American University compound during protests. The campus is located near Tahir Square, the heart of the protests.

Simon, a Philadelphia attorney, said he is working with co-counsel in Egypt. A release order was entered and prosecutors agreed not to appeal, he said.

"They will be able to be released from the police station and begin the process of coming home," he said.

Porter, of Glenside, Montgomery County and a graduate of LaSalle College High School, has been studying at the American University in Cairo.

Simon, who recently represented Amanda Knox, the American exchange student whose murder conviction in the death of her roommate in Italy was recently overturned, said he was able to talk with Porter who said he was being treated okay.

"He presented himself as someone much more mature than his 19 years, given the extraordinary difficulties he was facing," said Simon. While a lot has happened in a short time, Simon said Porter's family is still waiting with some concern.

"Until they give him a warm hug it won't be over," Simon said.

On Friday, a statement on the American University's website said "...staff members from the International Student Affairs office and the International Peer Leaders visited with the students and found them well. They will continue to visit the three students until their release and departure."

Contact staff writer Mari A. Schaefer at 610-892-9149, mschaefer@phillynews.com or @MariSchaefer on Twitter.