Egyptian Authorities

Egyptian authorities: The Canadian journalist is on trial in Egypt on widely denounced terror charges and says he is crippled by Ottawa refusal to issue him a new passport while he awaits the outcome of his case, according to Globe and Mail. The 40-year-old passport was seized by Egyptian authorities when he was first arrested in December 2013 and has never been returned. The minister reiterated what Fahmy was told in a letter this week from Canadian passport officials, that a new passport will only be issued when a court-imposed travel ban, which is part of his bail conditions, is lifted. Dewar said Fahmy needs the document to get married and rent an apartment and car while awaiting trial in Egypt. Mr. Nicholson said the issue of a new passport was the bailiwick of Immigration Minister Chris Alexander. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.