Detained Egyptian-Canadian journalist goes to trial this week

A Canadian journalist imprisoned in Egypt since the end of last year is hopeful his trial this week will mean his ordeal’s almost over.

But his family doesn’t understand why the federal government won’t publicly speak up for its detained citizen – even as the United States, Australia and other countries voice their concern.

Mohamed Fahmy, a producer for Al Jazeera English, has been incarcerated in Egypt for 51 days. He’s one of three journalists from the Qatar-based network arrested Dec. 29 by Egyptian authorities, accused of assisting the country’s largest Islamist group, the recently outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

READ MORE: Egyptian-Canadian journalist’s family denies Egypt’s allegations

Sherif Fahmy said his brother’s lawyer has all the documents needed to prove the 39-year-old’s innocence when the case goes to court on Thursday.

Fahmy told Global News Canadian consular officials in Cairo have been “very supportive” of his brother, who is detained along with his coworkers Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed.

“They get us exceptional permission to spend a longer time with Mohamed. They provide anything Mohamed asks for,” he said in a phone interview from Kuwait City on Monday. “They are taking us along with them whenever they go to visit Mohamed.”

WATCH: Journalists call for the release of Mohamed Fahmy. Sean Mallen reports.

But the Canadian government has been noticeably silent since his brother’s arrest – a marked change from last year, when Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular) Lynne Yelich made several statements about two other Canadians detained in Egypt.

Filmmaker John Greyson and emergency doctor Tarek Loubani spent 50 days in custody following their Aug. 16, 2013 arrest amid a violent and deadly crackdown on protesters loyal to ousted leader Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood.

“There’s something going on, but no one knows,” Fahmy said. “There’s something political that is preventing Canada from speaking out for Mohamed.”

READ MORE: Family of reporter arrested in Egypt wants Ottawa to do more (Jan. 14)

Fahmy pointed out his family isn’t Canadian by convenience: They’ve travelled back and forth on Canadian passports for decades. They pay Canadian taxes. They’re parents, although currently in Egypt since shortly after Mohamed’s arrest, still reside in Montreal.

“I know that they cannot politically intervene. … But it would just be nice for them to speak in the press, just a statement saying they’re concerned for Mohamed,” he said, adding there have been comments calling for the release of the Al Jazeera staff from U.S. Sen. John McCain, the White House and officials from other countries.

READ MORE: Private Egyptian TV airs video of arrest of Al-Jazeera journalists at Cairo hotel

In an emailed statement, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson John Babcock said “senior Canadian officials have raised Mr. Fahmy’s case with their Egyptian counterparts, requesting a fair and expeditious trial. In accordance with his wishes, we communicate regularly with Mr. Fahmy’s family and continue to advocate for his well-being.”

Babcock said Foreign Affairs could not comment further due to privacy reasons.

Saro Khatchadourian, press secretary for Minister of State Yelich, told Global News Yelich’s office could not comment on the case because of privacy reasons, but said the “complexities and nature” of this case are “quite different” than that of Greyson’s and Loubani’s situation.

He could not give an explanation as to how the cases were different, but confirmed consular staff were assisting Mohamed Fahmy and his family.

Fahmy said his brother’s situation has improved since he, Peter Greste and Baher Mohamed were moved to a different prison.

They had been kept in Egypt’s notorious Tora prison – the same prison where authorities held Greyson and Loubani until they were released on Oct. 5 and were able to return to Canada on Oct. 11.

Now, they get an hour of exercise and daylight each day. But Fahmy said his brother is still suffering from a broken shoulder that won’t heal.

“The doctor said it’s not healing because of the transportation going to and from interrogation,” he said.

But apart from that, Fahmy said, the guards have been treating the trio well.

“We actually spoke to one of the guards who’s responsible for Mohamed, Peter and Bahar’s cell,” he said. “He said that he knows all three of them are innocent and all of this is going to be resolved soon.”

*With files form Global’s James Armstrong, The Associated Press and The Canadian Press