Maikel Nabil Sanad has been released from prison on January 25, 2012, the first anniversary of the uprising against Mubarak in Egypt. Only on December 14, 2011, Maikel had been sentenced to two years in prison without the possibility of appealing plus a fine of 200 Egyptian Pound (25 Euro) by a Egyptian military court. His release is also the result of an international solidarity campaign, in which the Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin participated. In his first video statement after his release he criticizes the term "pardon", because he commited no crimes. A revision of his conviction has still to take place. 

Berlin - 29 September 2011 – The non-profit Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin (MFFB) urges the German Foreign Minister to plead for the immediate release of the Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad before his hearing of an appeal which is scheduled for October 4, 2011. 

The 25 year old Maikel Nabil Sanad was sentenced to three years in prison because of his criticism of the military leadership in Egypt. Maikel Nabil Sanad criticized the brutal proceedings of the military against protestors and meticulously described the many human rights abuses. At a military court he was accused of having spread false information and having insulted the military. Without a lawyer present and without the possibility to inform his family, he was sentenced in a summary procedure. To protest for his release and against his unfair treatment Maikel Nabil started a hunger strike in August and a partly thirst strike since the middle of September. A hearing of an appeal is scheduled for October 4. Nobody knows if Maikel Nabil will still be alive at that day.

"It is against democratic standards to sentence civilians at military courts. The right of free speech of course has to include the right to criticize the military", says Sebastian Mohr, spokesperson of the Mideast Freedom Forum. "Maikel's voice is an important voice for democracy, for peace, against Islamism and authoritarian rule; a voice that needs every support, and a voice that points to the possibility that a democratic Egypt will stand for peace in the Middle East", Mohr stresses.

Maikel Nabil Sanad is the first public conscientious objector in Egypt. He calls himself to be pro-Israel and fights for a reconciliation and friendship with Israel. He is the only blogger who is imprisoned in Egypt at present.

In letters to Germany's State Department and the chairpersons of the Foreign Policy and the Human Rights Committee of the German parliament, the MFFB urged Westerwelle and the politicians to plead for the immediate release of Maikel Nabil and to support the democratic opposition members in Egypt who are advocating for a good relations with Israel and therefore for peace in the Middle East.

Maikel Nabil's Blog

Maikel Nabil's Report on Human Rights Violations 

Maikel Nabil: Messages from Prison

Maikel Nabil about himself

Amnesty International (September 26, 2011)

Facebook Free Maikel Nabil Sanad الحرية لمايكل نبيل سند

Article of Matthias Küntzel: Blogger Maikel Nabil's Hunger Strike (German Radio, September 20, 2011)

Today the focus is on saving Maikel’s life. He must immediately be released – independently of what he says. Maikel was active for some time in the Democratic Front Party, a sister party to the [German liberal party] FDP. When will Germany’s Foreign Minister finally offer him public support? But in order to approach a solution to the Middle Eastern conflict, Germany’s diplomats must make efforts towards ensuring that Maikel’s message – the call for friendship with Israel – is discussed in the arenas of the Arab capitals. Read more

Huffington Post: Maikel Nabil Sanad, On Hunger Strike in Egypt, Is Dying: Family (9/15/11)

Al Ahram, Advocates: Egyptian blogger Nabil on hunger strike may only have days left (Sept 27) 

Reuters: Hunger strike takes toll on jailed Egypt blogger (Oct 4)

Press Release of the Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin in Arabic