EGYPT: Imprisoned pacifist blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad in solitary confinement

War Resisters' International has learned that imprisoned pacifist blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad has been moved to solitary confinement at El Marg prison.

Maikel Nabil Sanad was sentenced to three years' imprisonment on charges of "insulting the military" by the 10th of Ramadan military court in Nasr City near Cairo on 10 April 2011 (see co-alert, 11 April 2011). The sentence was ratified on 12 May 2011, and announced on 22 May 2011.

At the same time, Maikel Nabil Sanad was moved to solitary confinement at El Marg prison. Before, he was imprisoned in a special punishment cell at El Marg prison, which did not allow him to see any sun light. In addition, his cell mates did threaten him. Maikel Nabil Sanad demanded to see a doctor, as he suffers from unstable blood pressure and needs regular medication and medical attention. Only one week ago, he was finally able to see a doctor.

He also requested to be transferred to the prison hospital, where it would be easier to assist him in case of a medical emergency. Where he was imprisoned before, it would have been impossible for him to get attention at night.

While moving him to solitary confinement might be seen as a response to threats from his cell mates, it is still a punishment, and usually considered as torture.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of support to Maikel Nabil Sanad:
Maikel Nabil Sanad
El-Marg prison
El-Kalag
El-Khanka
Qalyubeya
Egypt

War Resisters' International calls for letters of protest to the Egyptian authorities:

Director of Military Judiciary
Major-General Ahmed Abd Allah
Military Judicial Department
Cairo, Egypt
Fax: +202 2 402 4468 / +202 2 411 3452 (ask for fax)

Military General Attorney
Major-General Medhat Radwan
Military Judicial Department
Cairo, Egypt
+202 2 412 0980 (ask for fax)

Minister of Defence
His Excellency Muhammad Tantawi
Ministry of Defence
Cairo, Egypt
mmc@afmic.gov.eg ; mod@afmic.gov.eg
Fax: +20 2 2 5748 822
A protest email can be sent at http://wri-irg.org/node/13003.

Egyptian Embassy in Britain
26 South Street, London W1K 1DW
Tel.: 020 7499 3304,
Fax: 020 7491 1542,
E-Mail Address: eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg
A list with contact details for Egyptian embassies is available at
http://www.mfa.gov.eg/English/Embassies/Pages/Listing.aspx

War Resisters' International calls on the Egyptian authorities to immediately release Maikel Nabil Sanad and all those other activists arrested during and after the revolution.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International