Two Canadian men jailed in Egypt are in “good health and good spirits” as lawyers in the restive country press for their release, according to family and friends. Genie-award winning filmmaker John Greyson was arrested with his friend Tarek Loubani, a London, Ont., emergency doctor, on Aug. 16, when they entered a police station looking for directions, according to Greyson’s sister, Cecilia. On Thursday, a lawyer hired by the men’s families was able to visit them in prison for 30 minutes, accompanied by Canadian consular staff and a doctor, Cecilia told the Star. “We had no idea if there were any injuries or anything,” she said. “We’re very relieved to get that message … They are doing OK in prison, which is a good sign, for sure.” Photos View gallery Canadian filmmaker John Greyson is being held in a Cairo jail after being arrested amid ongoing strife in the Egyptian capital. zoom Loubani and Greyson travelled to Cairo last week, but originally intended to continue straight to the Gaza Strip, which Loubani, 32, routinely visits to train doctors and nurses in emergency medical procedures at Al-Shifa Hospital. Greyson, 53, was invited to join him and was interested in filming Loubani’s work, said Cecilia. In the wake of their arrest in Cairo, a prosecutor in Egypt released a statement linking nine unnamed foreigners, including two Canadians, to unrest in the capital near the al-Fateh mosque and the Azbakiya police station, according to mutual friend Justin Podur. Canadians could be held for less than 15 days: Egypt’s ambassadorCanadians could be held for less than 15 days: Egypt’s ambassador Friends and family contend the allegations are untrue, and are urging officials in Canada and Egypt to help release Loubani and Greyson as soon as possible. After speaking with their Egyptian lawyers Thursday, Podur said they’re not expecting to meet with the prosecutors until Aug. 29. He added that it’s possible the prosecutor postpones that meeting by several weeks, especially in light of the backlog of arrests during recent street battles that have reportedly left more than 1,000 dead. “When their turn comes up, they’ll be investigated, and if there’s no evidence against them, they’ll be released,” said Podur, sounding dispirited by the expected length of his friends’ prison stay. “All of that time, Tarek and John will be in jail,” he said. Meanwhile, an online petition calling for the Canadians’ release surpassed 68,000 signatures by Friday morning. Liberal foreign affairs critic Marc Garneau also released a statement, calling on Canadian consular staff to “insist that the circumstances surrounding their detention be clarified and any possible misunderstandings are resolved as quickly as possible.”
Aug242013