The Georgetown University student arrested during protests in Cairo this week was ordered released along with two other American students, Georgetown President John J. DeGioia said.
A court ordered the release of 19-year-old Derrik Sweeney; 21-year-old Luke Gates, of Indiana University; and 19-year-old Gregory Porter, of Drexel, Egyptian officials said.
Sweeney's mother told the Associated Press the news was the best Thanksgiving gift. Joy Sweeney is expecting her son to arrive in St. Louis Saturday afternoon.
The three students, who study at the American University in Cairo, were arrested on the roof of a university building near Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square where they were allegedly throwing firebombs at security forces fighting with protesters.
Sweeney told his father he watched demonstrations but didn't throw anything, the Associated Press reported.
The protesters are demanding that the current military rulers immediately transfer power to a civilian authority.
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