EGYPT: Retrial date for Maikel Nabil Sanad set for 18 October - the 57th day of his hunger strike / no release from prison

War Resisters' International has been informed that imprisoned pacifist blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad will not be released from prison pending his re-trial, although the appeal court on Tuesday declared the initial sentence null and void (see co-alert, 11 October 2011).

Today, Maikel Nabil Sanad's brother was informed that the date of the re-trial has been set for 18 October - which would be day 57 of Maikel Nabil Sanad's hunger strike. The military prosecutor also refused to transfer Maikel Nabil Sanad to a civilian hospital at the expense of his family.

War Resisters' International is extremely concerned about Maikel Nabil Sanad's life. He is already suffering from serious health effects as a result of 52 days of hunger strike (and in total 12 days of thirst strike), and has not even been transferred to a proper hospital, where he could be treated. In addition, he is determined to continue his hunger strike until his release - which now won't be before next week.

War Resisters' International calls for urgent letters of support to Maikel Nabil Sanad:
Maikel Nabil Sanad
El-Marg prison
El-Kalag
El-Khanka
Qalyubeya
Egypt
Letters to Maikel can also be sent via http://wri-irg.org/campagins/supportmaikelnabil

War Resisters' International calls for urgent 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/13765.

War Resisters' International calls on the Egyptian authorities to respond to Maikel Nabil Sanad's hunger strike and to immediately release him pending his re-trial.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International