Egyptian Blogger Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 200 Egyptian pounds over criticizing the army. Nabil, who criticized the ruling military on his blog and called on people to avoid the draft, was originally sentenced to three years in prison in April and consequently went on a hunger strike in August to protest the punishment. Activists and rights groups say, “Nabil’s case highlights the Egyptian army’s heavy-handed approach to dissenters who criticise its top generals for using tactics reminiscent of Mubarak’s regime.”

Maikel’s brother Mark said Maikel will escalate his hunger strike due to the new sentencing, and stated, “he was drinking juice and milk, but now will only drink water,” despite major concerns over his health. Amnesty International condemned the sentencing, as well as the military’s use of military tribunals for civilians, and urged the government to release Nabil. “Maikel Nabil Sanad should be released immediately and unconditionally…he is a prisoner of conscience who should never have been prosecuted in the first place,”  said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director.