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Life in danger: EOHR calls for the release of Ayman Nour
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22/5/2007
The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) is extremely concerned by the state of health of Ayman Nour, currently serving a 5-year prison sentence in Tora Mazraa Prison. EOHR calls on Abdel Maguid Mahmoud, the Prosecutor General, to release Nour in application of articles 486 and 489 of the Criminal Procedures Code. These articles provide that where an individual serving a prison sentence is suffering from an illness threatening his life either because of the illness itself or the effects of the prison sentence his punishment may be suspended. Similarly article 36 of Law 396 [1956] provides that where it is apparent to a prison doctor that a prisoner is suffering from an illness threatening his life or which has completely disabled him, his case must be presented to the head of the Prisons' Medical Section for consideration for release.
Nour was assaulted by a group of guards who accompanied him during his appearance before a Giza court. The group included a general and a number of police officers who all took part in the attack on Nour. The assault caused injuries to various parts of his body which were documented by the public prosecution office which examined him in Tora Prison acting under the orders of the Prosecutor General.
The Public Prosecution Office's report issued after examination of Nour states that he was punched and pulled violently which resulted in a dislocated shoulder. He also suffered bruising all over his body but which were concentrated in the heart and chest region - Nour suffers from a heart condition, and previously underwent a coronary angiogram at Qasr el-Aini Hospital. He also suffers from Diabetes and haemorrhaging in the retina of both eyes which has affected his sight and threatens his optic nerve. In addition he suffering from a thrombosis in his leg and joint problems in his right leg caused by his being prevented from moving inside the prison and which has resulted in his being unable to move normally.
While EOHR welcomes the Public Prosecutor's decision to undertake a complete medical examination of Nour and produce a report on the negative effects of the assault on his health, it renews its appeal for Nour's release on health grounds.
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