Canada puts pressure on Egypt
Filmmaker, doctor detained on way to Gaza
The federal government expressed disappointment Tuesday that two Canadians being detained in Cairo were still being held — and are likely to remain behind bars for another two weeks.
Egyptian news sources say a judge has ordered the two Canadians, along with seven other foreign nationals, held for 15 days pending an investigation by prosecutors.
Toronto filmmaker John Greyson and London, Ont., doctor Tarek Loubani were arrested by Egyptian police Friday when they were in Cairo on their way to Gaza.
“We were disappointed to learn today that Dr. Loubani and Mr. Greyson will continue to be held in detention,” Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Lynne Yelich said in a statement Tuesday after she and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird spoke with Egypt’s ambassador to Canada.
“The government of Canada is deeply disappointed by this decision as there continues to be a lack of evidence.”
Family members have hired a Cairo lawyer to represent the two men, although it remained unclear whether the lawyer would be able to aid in securing an earlier release.
The ONA news agency says Greyson and Loubani are among dozens accused of being involved with the Muslim Brotherhood, and of trying to storm a police station in Cairo’s Ramses Square.
Justin Podur, a friend of the two detained Canadians, called the allegations “farfetched.” He noted that four of the foreign nationals, all from Ireland, were arrested on Saturday, Aug. 17, when police raided the al-Fateh Mosque.
“Tarek and John were already in custody at the time,” Podur said in a statement.
The Al-Youm Al-Sabea newspaper says the Canadians are being held along with the four Irish nationals, two Syrians and one person from Turkey.
Citing a prosecutor’s release, the newspaper says the nine face a range of serious accusations, including belonging to an armed gang, threatening security and social peace, disabling public transport and communications and possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
The two Canadians arrived in Cairo on Aug. 15, said Podur, and were arrested a short time later.