FCO concerned about treatment of Egyptian blogger

Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt expressed his concern today about Maikel Nabid Sanad’s situation, who was sentenced to three years imprisonment on 10 April. According to the FCO press release, obtained by ‘Arabstoday’ Alistair Burt said today: "I have serious concerns about the treatment of Maikel Nabil Sanad, an Egyptian blogger sentenced to three years imprisonment on 10 April by an Egyptian military court. Maikel Nabil Sanad has been on hunger strike since late August and his health is now deteriorating. "We have raised concerns about Maikel Nabil Sanad's treatment as well as the issue of trials of civilians in military courts and the continued State of Emergency with the Egyptian authorities. We continue to urge the Egyptian authorities to repeal the emergency law. "Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is fundamental to building a democratic society and we will continue to follow the human rights situation in Egypt closely."