Mohamed Fahmy cautiously optimistic about retrial verdict

The Canadian Al-Jazeera English journalist awaiting a new trial in Egypt says he has hope he'll be returning to Canada soon, but believes his "nightmare is not over yet."

"I still fear I could be sentenced to be sent back to prison and I live my life in that way trying to make use of every single day and just hoping for the best," Famhy told CBC Montreal's Daybreak in a phone interview from Cairo.

• Mohamed Fahmy urges end to 'diplomatic blockage' in leaving Egypt
• The Mohamed Fahmy Story : 400 Days | the fifth estate
• EXCLUSIVE | Mohamed Fahmy calls on Stephen Harper to push Egypt on deportation

Fahmy and two colleagues were arrested in 2013 on terror-related charges, accused of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and falsifying news.

Daybreak Montreal6:19Mohamed Fahmy: Happy to have Canadian "passport in my pocket"

Daybreak speaks to Mohamed Fahmy from Cairo, Egypt, on the Canadian passport he has just obtained, and his hope to return to Canada.

Fahmy denies that claim, arguing the charges were part of a "political score settling," between the governments of Egypt and Qatar, which owns Al-Jazeera.

Following a trial denounced by human-rights groups and criticized by Western governments, the three were convicted in 2014. One, an Australian journalist, was deported. The other is an Egyptian citizen. Fahmy, who held Canadian and Egyptian citizenship, fell into a grey area.

He renounced his Egyptian citizenship earlier this year and was released pending a new trial after one was ordered by a judicial appeal body.

Fahmy learned Monday that the Canadian government would issue him a new passport, a document he has been working to obtain since his releaseon bail in February.

His original passport was seized when he was arrested. The Canadian government had initially refused to issue him a new one, citing his bail conditions.

Hopes for marriage

Fahmy said living in Cairo without that documentation has be challenging.

"In Canada, the passport is used solely for travel. Here, you rent a flat, power of attorney, banking, [a passport is required for] everything," Fahmy said.

"The fact [is now] I can walk safely here knowing I have a passport in my back pocket."

He said he now hopes to get married to fianceMarwa Omara, who publicly lobbied for his freedom during his trial.

• Fiance of imprisoned Egyptian-Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy speaks out
• Mohamed Fahmy enjoying 'mundane things in life' as he awaits retrial

After several delays,Fahmy will be back in an Egyptian court Wednesdayas a technical committee, which isreviewing the so-called fabricated Al-Jazeera reports,delivers its findings.

"I hope that session is positive for me," Fahmy said.

"I'm expecting a verdict within a month or two,and then I would be on the first flight to Canada, without my suitcases even, if I'm exonerated."