Brussels, 28/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - In a statement issued on 27 December on behalf of the EU, the British Presidency comments: 'The EU has been following closely the trial of Mr Ayman Nour, leader of Egypt's opposition Al-Ghad Party, since his arrest in February 2005. The EU expresses concern that Mr Nour has been convicted and sentenced to five years in prison. This verdict sends negative signals about democratic political reform in Egypt. The EU expects that any appeal application by Mr Nour will be looked at fairly by the Egyptian Courts.' Nour, who came second to Hosni Mubarak in the presidential elections in Egypt in September 2005, is accused of falsifying documents.