Freed Australian journalist Peter Greste has warned it is too early to celebrate the release of his former cell-mates Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed.
On Thursday his Al-Jazeera colleagues were released on bail from the Egyptian prison he shared with them for 400 days.
Mr Greste said he was overjoyed with the release but it was "too soon to celebrate without reserve".
"One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was to walk out of prison and leave them behind, so it is wonderful to know that they're at last able to join their families as I did just over a week ago," he said in a statement.
"The release on bail generated enormous joy and goodwill not just amongst our families and friends, but amongst our thousands of supporters around the world."
However, Mr Greste stressed the trial was continuing and his colleagues had not been acquitted.
"I'm looking forward to the day when the court declares all of us innocent of the charges," he said.
"Then the party will really begin."
CONGRATULATIONS TO
@Bahrooz &
@MFFahmy11 This is a huge step forward. Not time to declare it over, but at least you get to go home! — Peter Greste (@PeterGreste)
February 12, 2015
Mr Greste arrived back in Brisbane on February 5 after he was deported under a presidential decree.
He has pledged to keep fighting to have his "brothers" released.
In a bid to be deported, Mr Fahmy, a naturalised Canadian, renounced his Egyptian citizenship in the wake of the Australian journalist's release.
He was released on bail of 250,000 Egyptian pounds ($A42,810) and Mr Mohamed, who only has Egyptian citizenship, was released without a bail cost.
The pair's next hearing is on February 23.
Mr Mohamed simply tweeted "I AM FREE".
I AM FREE — Baher Ghorab (@Bahrooz)
February 12, 2015
Mr Greste was on temporary assignment in Egypt when the three journalists were arrested in December 2013.
The trio was sentenced on charges of broadcasting false news and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood, a declared terrorist organisation, in a trial condemned around the world.
A huge groundswell of international support and an extended campaign to have the journalists released quickly followed.
