Al Jazeera journalist Fahmy says betrayed, abandoned by Canada PM

Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy speaks during a news conference hosted by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) at the Ryerson University School of Journalism in Toronto, Canada October 13, 2015. REUTERS/Fred Thornhill

TORONTO (Reuters) - Mohamed Fahmy, the Al Jazeera journalist pardoned last month after spending over 400 days in an Egyptian jail, said on Tuesday that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper should have worked much harder to secure his release.

Fahmy's return to Canada just a week ahead of a tightly-contested federal election due on Oct. 19 could prove embarrassing for Harper and his Conservative government, with the journalist meeting both of Harper's main opponents to thank them for their support.