Canadian Mohammed el-Attar still jailed in Egypt

Even if Canadian journalist MohammedFahmycomes homesoon, there will be another Canadian left behind,ensnaredin Egypt's legal system.

Mohammed el-Attar is halfway through a 15-year sentence. He's been serving that time,it seems, without a champion, without a heartfelt hashtag campaign to support him oreven paid legal representation.

El-Attar was arrested after arriving Cairo in January 2007 for what he said was a vacation. He was charged with spying for Israel while in Canada and swiftly sentenced.

The bulk of the case restedon a confession el-Attar and human rights groups have always maintained was tortured out of him.

The case peppered newspapers and broadcasts seven or eight years ago, but has all but disappeared now.

Even Amnesty International acknowledges no one from the organization has seen el-Attar in years.

His lawyer, Ibrahim al Basyuni, says his last visit with el-Attar was two years ago.

Basyuni insists he has never been paid, hasn't been approached by Canadian officials in years and wondersif Canada has forgotten about el-Attar.

CBC Newscaught up today with Canada's ambassador to Egypt, who was atFahmy'scourt appearance in Cairo.

Troy Lulashnyk said: "In this case, Ijust refer you to the [Department of Foreign Affairs]and today we're here to support Mr. Fahmy."

CBC has been in touch with departmentofficials in Ottawa,who added only that Canada is following the case closely and working with local officials.

What any of that actually means for el-Attar or his future in a three-by-two-metre cell in a Cairo prison isn't entirely clear.

Watch Adrienne Arsenault's report tonight on The National.