TORONTO – Two Canadians detained in an Egyptian prison for a month without charge have begun a hunger strike.
Family of John Greyson and Dr. Tarek Loubani issued a press released Monday, confirming the men will refuse food to “protest the arbitrary nature of their detention by Egyptian authorities.”
“We know that they did not take the decision to begin a hunger strike lightly,” said Greyson’s sister, Cecilia.
On Sunday, Cairo district prosecutor, Mohamed Heta, announced he was extending Greyson and Loubani’s detention for another 15 days.
Greyson, a Toronto filmmaker and professor, and Loubani, an emergency room physician from London, Ont., were arrested on Aug. 16 during deadly riots in Cairo.
According to friends and family, the two were en route to Gaza when they were arrested in Cairo after asking police for directions. Loubani was reportedly headed to Gaza to work at the Al Shifa Hospital and Greyson was going to prepare for a film project.
They have been held for a month in Cairo’s Tora prison without any formal charges being laid.
The Canadian government has expressed concern over the detention, repeatedly calling for their release.
Last week in Toronto, members of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) community held a press conference to raise awareness about the situation.
Filmmakers Atom Egoyan, Sarah Polley and Alex Gibney, author Michael Ondaatje and TIFF Bell Lightbox Artistic Director Noah Cowan, along with Greyson’s sister Cecilia, read on open letter to Egyptian authorities, calling for Greyson and Loubani’s release. Over 300 prominent cultural and academic figures have signed the letter, including Naomi Klein, Alec Baldwin and Ben Affleck.
Watch the video below: Stars plead for release of two Canadians detained in Egypt
A petition on Change.org calling for Greyson and Loubani’s release has received over 115,000 signatures.
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