Wael Ghonim, who works as Google’s head of marketing in the Middle East, was an early force in the would-be Egyptian revolution, creating a Facebook page calling for the ouster of President Mubarak. But on January 28, just three days after protests began in earnest in Tahrir Square, Ghomin was seized off the streets by government agents in plainclothes. Neither Ghonim’s family members nor Google knew what happened next, and many feared for his life. In fact, Ghonim was held by the state for 12 days — often blindfolded and kept completely insulated from events on the streets — before being released.

In a TV interview yesterday, Ghonim began to weep on being informed that at least 300 people had died on the streets during his captivity.

“We didn’t do anything wrong. We did what our consciences dictated to us,” he said in the interview, overcome with remorse for his role in mobilizing people through the Internet.

But Ghonim’s tears are being credited with galvanizing a revolutionary spirit that appeared to have cooled over the last several days:

“Ghonim’s tears have moved millions and turned around the views of those who supported (Mubarak) staying,” website Masrawy.com wrote two hours after Ghonim’s TV appearance. In that short span, 70,000 people had signed up to Facebook pages supporting him.
[. . .]
“Wael Ghonim is the Bouazizi of the Egyptians,” wrote journalist Mohamed al-Jarhi, referring to the Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi who helped launch Tunisia’s own uprising last month by setting himself on fire in protest at poverty and corruption.

Later, Ghonim gave a stirring speech to a massive crowd of protesters:

“I don’t feel guilty for the martyrs who died. I don’t feel guilty for the officers who died. Those who should feel guilty are those who are looting this country.
“I apologize to every father and mother and every person who lost his life for his country. For 12 days, I’ve been isolated. I saw the people who died. These are the heroes, and you are the heroes.”
The crowd started chanting, “One hand, one hand,” with Mr. Ghonim leading the crowd.
“I’m not a hero,” he said. “I was just typing on my keyboard. You are the heroes.
“I haven’t slept for three days. I’m tired.”
Chants began again: “Long live Egypt. Long live Egypt.”
“For a long time, I’ve been saying we have a voice that should be heard,” Mr. Ghonim said. “We have a right that should be taken seriously. We will take that right, even if we die as martyrs. Your demands are my demands. For the president to step down is our demand from now on.
“There are two messages I want to give. I don’t feel guilty for those who died. The second message: This is not a time to settle scores for personal gains, and it’s not a time for parties or ideologies. It’s time to say one thing: Egypt above all.
“I’ve observed that we are all brothers. Yesterday, I met with the minister of interior. He was addressing me as an equal. He said, I got your message. You are the youth of Facebook. You are the youth of Egypt.”

More here.