[JURIST] An Egyptian court rejected a petition from jailed opposition leader Ayman Nour [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] for early release on medical grounds Tuesday, saying that evidence submitted by Nour failed to prove that his medical condition was life threatening or that his heart condition will be adversely affected by prison. Nour, who suffers from heart disease and diabetes, was convicted [JURIST report] in 2005 for allegedly forging signatures on documents registering his Al-Ghad Party [party website] for presidential elections [JURIST news archive], and was sentenced to five years in jail.

In May, an Egyptian criminal court rejected [JURIST report] a plea by a public prosecutor for Nour's early release. Nour has said the charges were politically motivated and has accused the Egyptian police of abuse [Reuters report]. The United States has indicated that it is "deeply troubled by the conviction" and has urged Egypt to release Nour [press release]. AP has more.