Imprisoned blogger told he can count on continuing support in letter on first anniversary of arrest

Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Robert Ménard has sent a message of support to imprisoned Egyptian blogger Kareem Nabil Suleiman on the first anniversary of his arrest on 6 November 2006. Suleiman, better known his blog name of Kareem Amer, was sentenced on 22 February to three years in prison for “inciting hatred of Islam” and another year for insulting President Hosni Mubarak. The letter, sent to him via his lawyers, talks about the press freedom organisation's campaign for his release. "Dear Kareem, Your arrest outraged many free speech groups, human rights organisations, bloggers and diplomats. Reporters Without Borders has been following your case and has been supporting you for the past year and we will continue to campaign on your behalf. United Nations secretary-general Ban-Ki Moon promised us that he would intercede on your behalf with the Egyptian government during his visit in March, just after you were sentenced. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights assured us that your case was raised with the Egyptian authorities at the start of May by the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression. In France, President Nicolas Sarkozy is aware of your plight and has told us “this question is and will continue to be regularly raised during my contacts with the Egyptian authorities and will, in particular, always be raised during my interviews with my Egyptian counterpart.” In the light of these efforts, we hope there will be positive developments in your case. On 9 November, we will take part in an international demonstration being organised in Paris by your support committee to reiterate the request for your release that we already sent to the Egyptian justice minister and public prosecutor in February, after you were sentenced. Please continue to send us news of yourself. We consider your news to be very valuable and it is evidence of your continuing struggle for free expression. Our campaign on your behalf continues and will only get stronger. You may count on our friendship and support."