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Google executive missing in Egypt
By Johan Keyter 7 February 2011 | Categories: newsAmid the political turmoil currently taking place in Egypt, the headlines have also been dominated by the Egyptian government's attempts to cut off internet access in the country. Now the world's biggest internet search engine company, Google, has reported that one of its employees have gone missing in the country.
According to Reuters, Google's head of marketing for the Middle East and North Africa, Wael Ghonim, has not been seen since this Thursday, when he was last spotted in Cairo.
“The safety of our employees is very important to Google, so if anyone has any information please call the following UK number: +44 20 7031 3008,” Google said in a statement.
The capital is currently in a state of chaos as mass anti-government protests continues. A person familiar with the situation said Ghonim had travelled to Cairo for “personal reasons” and that he is normally based in Dubai.
The Google office in Cairo has also been temporarily closed to ensure the safety of its employees. The internet search giant recently launched one of the only ways to circumvent the internet communications restrictions currently in place in the country.
Here's to hoping that Ghonim's disappearance can be attributed to the mass confusion currently taking place in Egypt, and not something more sinister. Over 140 people have been killed in the country since protest started.
Update: According to the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Ghonim has been found. It turns out he had played a key part in the demonstrations around the country, and that he had been detained by Egyptian security forces until this time.
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