Freed journalist Peter Greste and his family were all smiles this morning at Greste’s first official address to the media after touching down in Brisbane in the early hours of Thursday. Greste praised community, government and his family’s support, recognising his family’s “dignity, passion and resolve.”
Flanked by his mother, father and brother, Greste spoke candidly about his 400 days in an Egyptian prison. Regarding his hero’s welcome at Brisbane airport, Greste said he was humbled by the reception, citing his underestimation of its scale: “To be honoured like that is frankly overwhelming. I’m deeply, deeply honoured by it but also very, very humbled by it and absolutely awed by the amount of support and expression of goodwill that we’re getting.”
Greste confirmed today that he has no plans of quitting his career as a journalist, saying “I’m a correspondent. That’s what I do.” Greste’s mother provided the reaction of the day to that statement, not entirely chuffed about the idea: “We’ve always believed our children should follow their passion…at the same time he’s got to know that we are not going to go through this again.” Too right, mama Greste.
Greste said he would be using his new-found freedom wisely, taking advantage of stars and sunsets: “The bits and pieces that make life worthwhile,” he said.
You can watch Peter Greste’s full address to the media below. ABC has also put together a handy timeline of Greste’s 400 days in prison over here.
Lead image by Patrick Hamilton via Getty.
