The first freedom-of-expression trial since the fall of President Mubarak is expected to resume at a military court in Egypt on Wednesday.

Maikel Nabil Sanad (pictured above), a 25-year-old pacifist isaccused of insulting the military, spreading false information, and disturbing public security. The charges relate to an article he published on his blog on March 8, criticising the army's behaviour during and after the revolution. He was arrested on March 28.

Although his trial is very reminiscent of the authorities' behaviour under the old regime, Nabil has so far received little support from his fellow activists. Al-Ahram explains:

"Nabil has failed to win the support of many activists because of his supportive attitude towards Israel; he has called for Egypt and Israel to co-exist peacefully and to put an end to the conflict between them. Nabil’s views on Israel stem from his beliefs on individualism and individual liberties. 'I refused the continued harassment which the Egyptian regime does against Israel, as getting involved without a justification in the 1948 war,' Nabil wrote on his blog."

There is a Facebook page called "Free Maikel Nabil Sanad".

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 5 April 2011.