A Queensland IT consultant is on his way home after being held for more than 400 days in an Egyptian prison and prevented from leaving the country.

Hazem Hamouda was accompanied by the Australian ambassador to Egypt as he departed Cairo airport on Tuesday

“We are so relieved that Dad is finally on his way home safely,” his daughter, Lamisse Hamouda, said.

The 54-year-old was arrested on 25 January 2018 on arrival at Cairo international airport when he travelled to the country with his family on holidays.

He was accused of being associated with the Muslim Brotherhood and spreading false news on social media, and was detained and held without charge.

Hamouda has denied the allegations against him. His family have speculated they may relate to Facebook posts he made during the Arab Spring in 2011.

In February the Egyptian prosecutor general ordered his release but he disappeared. Hamouda’s family located him a week later in a police cell.

They secured his release and took him to the airport, but he was prevented from leaving, despite being accompanied by an Australian consular official.

Peter Greste, the Australian journalist who was jailed in Egypt, previously told Guardian Australia that Hamouda was told he could not leave because he did not have the correct Egyptian documents – papers which had been confiscated and allegedly lost by authorities.

This is awesome news. So happy to hear that after more than 400 days behind bars in Egypt, Hazem Hamouda is finally on his way home. I know how he feels!!! https://t.co/NoaL7IBn4R — Peter Greste (@PeterGreste) April 3, 2019

Hamouda’s release came a day after his lawyers said they had asked the Australian government to inform the Egyptian government that Australia would “exercise diplomatic protection, to request an assurance that Hazem be able to leave the country, and to ensure the Australian ambassador can accompany Hazem out of the country”.

Lamisse Hamouda thanked her family’s legal team, which acted pro bono, and said the support of the Australian government and department of foreign affairs had been critical in securing her father’s release.

“All we want now is time to recover with Dad, and make sure that his re-entry is as easy as possible,” she said.

Barristers Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Jennifer Robinson said Hamouda’s return marked an end to a “horrific ordeal” for the family.

“Throughout that time, Hazem and his family have tirelessly fought for his freedom and for his safe return home to Brisbane. It is testament to their dedication that Hazem is now safely away from Egypt,” they said.

“However, we must remember that there are many more men and women still imprisoned in Egypt or banned from leaving Egypt based on spurious charges and often simply for peacefully expressing their opinions of President al-Sisi’s regime. Hazem’s case has shone a spotlight on al-Sisi’s repression and the immense damage it causes for those affected and their families”.