A large number of activists and representatives of political movements on Thursday (January 19), started a march demanding the release of blogger Michael Nabīl, chanting slogans rejecting that civilians be brought before military courts.

Nabīl's father, who participated in the march that started from al-Tahrīr Square and ended in front of the Supreme Court, said that his son's health condition is very serious due to his high blood pressure.

He said that Nabīl had gone on a hunger strike two times in protest against mistreatment.

Nabīl was jailed last year for insulting Egypt's armed forces. An initial three-year sentence was reduced on appeal in December 2011 to two years. His arrest in March and sentencing sparked outrage abroad. [Ahmad al-Misrī, al-Ahrām, Jan. 20, p. 26]