Update on Ayman Nour

Ayman Nour, the leader of the Ghad (Tommorrow) political party, who came in second place in this fall's presidential election, was detained this week during his trial on forgery and other charges. Amnesty International has expressed concerns that the charges -- which have to do with the collection of names on an election petition -- are politically motivated.

According to Nour family members, the detention occurred before the defense completed its case in the trial. According to Ayman's lawyer, Amir Salim, the detention was a sign the court intended to convict Mr Nour when their trial on forgery charges resumes next week. Ayman could be sentenced to a maximum of 15 years.

Nour lost his parliamentary seat in the current parliamentary elections. After coming in second in the presidential balloting, the ruling NDP targeted Nour's seat, and political observers were not surprised that he failed to win under the circumstances; Nour alleged fraud and misconduct in the election.

For a previous Amnesty International statement on Nour's detention, click here.