Google Exec Detained in Egypt to Be Released

Google's Middle East Marketing Director Wael Ghonim had been missing in Egypt for more than a week. He was involved with the political movement to overthrow the Mubarak rule in the country and also with the early stages of the protests that still continue in Egypt.

He disappeared on January 27 and the fear was that he was arrested or worse.

He is now due to be released later today, according to his family and a prominent businessman with ties to the government.

While news of his disappearance have been spreading for more than a week, it wasn't until now that the extent of his involvement with the protests was revealed.

The Wall Street Journal uncovered that he was instrumental in the online efforts of the opposition. He set up one of the Facebook pages that became central to organizing the protests and he also worked with all major figures of the opposition.

While his role in the actual protests that have reverberated throughout the country for the past couple of weeks is unclear, he was an important figure in the group of online activists that have been pushing for a reform in Egypt.

Over 1,000 activists and protesters are said to have been detained during the recent protests. Most have been released thought the fate of some is still uncertain. The government hasn't acknowledged Ghonim detainment and the accounts of his release come from outside sources.

At Google, he is one of the key execs in the region and the company has been asking for details and help ever since he disappeared. While Google has been worried about the fate of its employee, it hasn't commented on his political involvement.

However, Google has gotten involved in the situation in Egypt, setting up a means for those in the country to leave voice messages, distributed via Twitter, while internet access was restricted.