CAIRO: The administrative court has rejected jailed opposition leader Ayman Nour's health release during the final court session Tuesday, but the defense team plans to appeal the court's decision, lawyers said. Amir Salem, Nour's lawyer, told Daily News Egypt that the court has based its decision on the technical forensic medical reports presented by the specialized cardiologist, which stated that Nour's health condition is not critical and that there was no probability of sudden death. "The cardiologists ignored the part that Nour suffers from a serious heart condition. However, the court has sympathized with the case and supported the fact that Nour needs special medical treatment whether inside or outside Tora prison, said Salem. He added that the court believes it has fairly dealt with the case and did not decide on Nour's case prejudicially. "The court said that the requirements for a health release have not been met according to the medical reports presented to the judges.Yes he needs special medical treatment, but it does not reach the extent of health release, he said. Salem said the next step for the defense team is to appeal this final decision in the higher administrative court; demanding proper medical treatment for Nour in a private hospital outside the prison. "He should be treated properly whether inside or outside, but since there is no efficient medical care inside Tora prison hospital, then the interior ministry is responsible for establishing an efficient medical unit for Nour to be treated in, said Salem. However Salem believes that the court's decision was not influenced by any external pressure. "The court was independent and strong enough to issue this decision. I believe that great efforts have been exerted to prove Nour's critical health problems which include diabetes, blood pressure and a heart condition, he said. Ehab El Kholy, another of Nour's case, told Daily News Egypt, that he was depressed by the court's decision. "I am so depressed because of all that has happened. I have nothing more to say than that, said El Kholy. After running against President Mubarak in the last presidential elections, Nour was accused of forging documents needed for the establishment of his opposition Al Ghad party in 2004. He was then sentenced to five years in jail on Jan. 29, 2005. The State Council ruled on June 26 that his trial would be adjourned to July 3 pending forensic reports on his medical condition from the Forensic Medicine Authority. The decision was pending more than once in several court hearings, until it finally came out yesterday against his request. After the judge announced the final decision against Nour, the former head of the opposition political party Al Ghad, his supporters shouted slogans against the Mubarak regime and called for real freedom in a dramatic court scene. Sitting against the walls of the court, supporters, including men, women and even children, carried the Egyptian flag, and wept as they held up orange banners with Nour's photos. But police forces did not take any action against them. Ferial Gomaa, member Al Ghad party's higher committee, expressed her frustration at the decision saying, "Is the court waiting for Nour to be on the brink of death to decide on his release? Is it [the court] just waiting to get him out of prison after he is already dead? Gamila Ismail, Nour's wife, who was always outspoken during her husband s previous trials, seemed shocked and was unwilling to comment on the decision.
