Egypt: Frenchman dies in police custody amid rising tide of xenophobia

[cali]

A French national has died in police custody in Cairo and two Canadians have begun a hunger strike to protest at their month-long detention amid a rising tide of xenophobia and nationalist fervour in Egypt.

Elsewhere, two Syrian refugees were killed by Egyptian coastguards while trying to flee the country by boat, while a Swiss national has been arrested on suspicion of espionage after being caught in possession of a toy plane.

Frenchman Eric Lang, 49, a teacher, was beaten to death by fellow inmates in a Cairo police station last Friday. A longterm Cairo resident, Lang had been held by the police since 6 September after failing to produce valid residency papers. Initial reports suggested Lang was arrested for flouting Cairo's curfew, which has been in place since the brutal killing of up to a thousand supporters of the ousted president Mohamed Morsi on 14 August sparked a wave of unrest across Egypt, but his family's lawyer said that he was arrested during the day.

News of Lang's murder came as two Canadians announced a hunger strike to protest against their continued incarceration without charge in an Egyptian prison. John Greyson, a renowned Canadian documentary film-maker, and his companion Tarek Loubani, a doctor, were arrested during the unrest in Cairo on 15 August after asking at a police station for directions, according to friends.

<snip>

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/18/egypt-frenchman-dies-syria-morsi

[LuvNewcastle]

1. Looks like the situation in Egypt is about to get even worse.

Foreigners need to get the hell out of there immediately. I don't think I'd want to be a member of a minority religion over there either, even if I was an Egyptian.

[cali]

2. I really want to see the release of Dr. Loubani and Mr. Greyson

I fear for their lives particularly in the light of the murder of the French teacher.

Mr. Greyson is openly gay.

Unfortunately, the prosecutor has extended their detention. Neither man has been charged with anything.

[LuvNewcastle]

3. Oh no! I hope they make it out, too!

[cali]

4. John Greyson is a renowned film maker

here's his wiki page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Greyson

[cali]

5. link to site to free Loubani and Greyson

http://tarekandjohn.com/

link to change.org petition

http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/canadian-government-help-free-tarek-and-john

[LuvNewcastle]

6. I signed the petition. I hope others do as well.