EGYPT: Conscientious objector Maikel Nabil Sanad arrested / in military court today

War Resisters' International has been informed that Egypt conscientious objector Maikel Nabil Sanad has been arrested this morning, and will appear in military court today. He is being threatened with a sentence of up to five years imprisonment, but it is not known what he is being charged with.

Maikel Nabil Sanad has previously been arrested in November 2010 (see co-alert, 14 November 2010) and February 2011 (see co-alert, 4 February 2011), but so far he has always been released after one to two days. It is to be feared that this time he will be sentenced to a long prison sentence - possibly up to five years.

War Resisters' International also fears for his safety in military prison. Maikel Nabil Sanad has reported abuse and harassment after his previous arrests, and the military is known for its mistreatment and torture of prisoners.

War Resisters' International calls for urgent letters/faxes of protest to the authorities of Egypt:

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
A protest email can be sent at http://wri-irg.org/node/12474.

War Resisters' International demands the immediate release of Maikel Nabil Sanad.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International