Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste took his first steps on Australian soil early Thursday morning when he stepped off a plane in Brisbane.
Greste, 49, was freed by presidential decree in Egypt on Sunday, after more than 400 days behind bars there.
He and fellow journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed, who remain imprisoned, were arrested in 2013, and charged with crimes that included spreading false news. They vehemently denied the charges.
Greste was met at the airport by friends, family and the assembled media. Some held signs that said, "Welcome home, Peter!"
Around 100 journalists and well-wishers gathered at arrivals, waiting for Peter Greste. pic.twitter.com/wdQMQptmc2— Patrick Kingsley (@PatrickKingsley) February 4, 2015
Greste, who spent the last two days in Cyprus with his brother, walked out of the gate with his hands in the air.
“It feels absolutely awesome to be here," Greste said upon arriving at Brisbane's airport.
He then immediately pressed for the release of his colleagues: "If it's right for me to be free, it's right for those convicted alongside me."
The crowd cheered and chanted, “Welcome home, Peter” and “Journalism is not a crime," according to The Guardian.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott spoke to Egypt President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi by telephone for the first time since Greste was released from an Egyptian prison over the weekend, the prime minister's office said in a statement on Wednesday.
Free in Cyprus! Feels sweet. Peter back online for first time in 400+ days. Special thanks to Mike 4 nursing twitter pic.twitter.com/APATL1RljI— Peter Greste (@PeterGreste) February 3, 2015
"The prime minister thanked President el-Sisi for his effort to bring Peter Greste's imprisonment to an end," according to the statement. "Prime Minister Abbott expressed hope that Mr. Greste's colleagues Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed might be released soon."
Greste thanked his supporters in a tweet on Tuesday, and called on them to remember his still-imprisoned colleagues.
Special thanks to all who've supported us over the past year. MUST NOT FORGET THOSE STILL IN PRISON @Bahrooz #FreeAJStaff @MFFahmy11— Peter Greste (@PeterGreste) February 3, 2015