Drexel student freed by Egypt is flying home, lawyer says

The Drexel University sophomore who was arrested by police in Cairo along with two other Americans after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails during a pro-democracy protest left Egypt Friday night and was flying home, his attorney said.

"I am pleased and thankful to report that Gregory Porter is in the air," said Theodore Simon, a lawyer who has been speaking for the family.

Porter, 19, left Cairo Friday evening, he said. He would not release further details of his client's itinerary.

The two other students arrested along with his client have also been released and are safe, said Simon.

Porter; Luke Gates, 21, of Indiana University; and Derrik Sweeney, 19, of Georgetown University, had been detained since Monday, when they were arrested for allegedly throwing firebombs at police from a rooftop in the American University of Cairo compound during protests. The compound is near Tahrir Square, the heart of the protests.

"We are extremely relieved to hear that he is safe and on his way home," Lori Doyle, a Drexel University spokeswoman, said Friday night.

Earlier Friday, Simon, who had worked with cocounsel in Egypt, said that "certain necessary administrative steps" that precluded Porter's release from police custody had been resolved. A release order was entered and prosecutors agreed not to appeal, he said.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo issued an emergency message cautioning all U.S. citizens to avoid Tahrir Square and to abide by all local laws.

Doyle said three other students from the school are attending the American University in Cairo.

"We have talked to them and their families and they have all agreed they would like to stay there," she said. Those students are on the main campus, about an hour away from Tahrir Square, she said. They have been cautioned to stay on campus and away from protests, she said.

Porter, of Glenside, is a graduate of La Salle College High School.

Simon, who also 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 while he was detained. The student said he was treated acceptably.

"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."