An Egyptian military court has postponed an appeal hearing for an Egyptian blogger who is on a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment on charges of insulting the country's military rulers.
Maikel Nabil Sanad was arrested in March and given a three-year jail sentence for publishing articles accusing Egyptian military leaders of human rights violations, including the use of violence against pro-democracy activists.
The military court was due to hear Sanad's appeal on Tuesday, but postponed the hearing to October 11, saying the proper documents for the case were not in order.
Media rights group Reporters Without Borders said Monday Sanad's health is "deteriorating steadily" as a result of the hunger strike he began August 23. It said the blogger is suffering serious kidney problems and anemia.
Sanad's brother, Mark, criticized the postponement of the appeal, saying Maikel may not survive another week of refusing food.
Reporters Without Borders said Egypt's leaders must show a commitment to human rights, justice and democracy by releasing Sanad. It said he was unfairly convicted because of his views and articles.
Reporters Without Borders said it wrote to Egypt's attorney general in Cairo on September 26 requesting permission to visit Sanad in prison. It said no reply has been received.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.
