Some 18 Egyptian Islamists ask to stay in prison

An Egyptian judicial source said that some 18 persons accused of being members of the banned armed "Islamic Group" organization in Egypt asked the state's higher security court to renew their imprisonment so as to complete their medical treatment in the prison's hospitals.

The source added that the court, which studied the request to renew the imprisonment, was surprised to receive the request submitted by convicted Ismael Ahmad Abbas, who awaits surgery at the prison's hospital to change his heart valve. Abbas said he is unable to pay the cost of the surgery, estimated at a cost of US $3,500.

The source added that because of this request and similar ones, the court's chairman, Samir Abu al-Ma'ati, decided to extend their imprisonment until they receive necessary medical treatment.