Inter­na­tio­nal Support of Conscien­tious Objec­tors and Deserters

Egypt: Pacifist blogger and conscientious objector Maikel Nabil Sanad sentenced to three years in prison

(11.04.2011) War Resisters’ International has learnt this morning that pacifist blogger and conscientious objector Maikel Nabil Sanad has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment yesterday on charges of "insulting the military". Yesterday, in front of the military court in Nasr City in Cairo, his family and friends were told that the trial had been adjourned, while in fact it was happening, and Maikel Nabil Sanad was being sentenced to prison, without his family or lawyers present. This is an outrageous violation of the right to fair trial according to article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Egyptian pacifist Maikel Nabil Sanad arrested for insulting the military

Please send letter of protest

(30.03.2011) War Resisters’ International, the international network of pacifist and antimilitarist organisations with more than 80 affiliates in more than 40 countries, is concerned about the arrest of Egyptian pacifist and conscientious objector Maikel Nabil Sanad, 25, from Cairo [3]. According to information received by War Resisters’ International, Maikel Nabil Sanad was arrested in his home in the Ain Shams neighbourhood if Cairo at about 10pm on 28 March 2011 by military police. He was only able to call his brother on the next day, to inform him of his arrest.

Egypt: Military arrests pacifist activist and conscientious objector

Maikel Nabil Sanad threatened with 5 years sentence

(29.03.2011) War Resisters’ International, the international network of pacifist and antimilitarist organisations with more than 80 affiliates in more than 40 countries, is concerned about the arrest of Egyptian pacifist and conscientious objector Maikel Nabil Sanad.

According to reports from his friends, Maikel Nabil Sanad was arrested in the night of 28 March, when he was alone at home. He managed to call his brother on 29 March in the morning, to inform him about his arrest. He also told him that he would be tried in a military court on the same day, and that he is being threatened with a prison sentence of five years, on unknown charges.

I’m free after 29 hours of arrest

Egypt: Conscientious objector Maikel Nabil Sanad beaten and harassed

(05.02.2011) Dear friends, Intelligence Service released me today at 7 pm after 29 hours of arrest. They beat me a lot, sexually harassed me,  threatened me to be tried in front of a military trial, urged me to join the army, stole my ID and my mobile phone. These were the worst days of my life and I think they did it to take revenge to my refusal of the military service. I’ll need a couple of days to rest after this horrible experience.