Extended jail term for Canterbury man arrested in Egyptian unrest
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by Adam Williams
Hopes a former Canterbury man would be freed
from an Egyptian jail this week have been dashed.
Alisdare Hickson,
arrested earlier this month in Cairo during political unrest,
remains in prison following a bail hearing on Monday.
The 48-year-old (pictured left), who has been
living in Egypt with his partner Seifein since 2007, has been
detained for a further 14 days on suspicion of throwing rocks at
police during demonstrations.
Alisdare, whose father Tony lives in New Dover
Road, claims he was merely taking pictures of protestors when a
group were arrested on February 5.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirmed
Mr Hickson remains in prison and are continuing to provide consular
advice to his family.
Tony Hickson, a recognisable character around
Canterbury on his mobility scooter accompanied by great dane Daisy,
thought Alisdare had actually been released at first.
He said: “I was out on Monday afternoon when
he rang and missed the call.
"My initial thought was good news and he’d
been granted bail as expected. But, it turned out he’d actually
been calling from a phone inside the prison and he’ll be in jail
for at least another 14 days.”
Political unrest in Egypt
captured by Alisdare Hickson who was arrested during violent
clashes in the capital Cairo
Friend Tim Bolton, an accountant based in
Watling Street, wrote to the Egyptian authorities last week to
provide a character witness. The 67-year-old, from Bridge, admits
the whole episode has shocked him.
He said: “I can’t believe for one second the
accusations being thrown at Alisdare. It can’t possibly be right,
he is just too gentle a man to find himself caught up in incidents
like this.
“I’ve known Alisdare for many years as a
friend and associate and the first I heard about this whole saga
was an email from his partner saying he’d been arrested and thrown
in prison. I wrote off immediately to provide a character reference
on his behalf and I just hope that goes some way to helping with
Alisdare’s defence.”
See more pictures in this week's Kentish Gazette - out
Thursday.
Wednesday, February 22 2012
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