Egyptian corruption arrests
Source: Agencies |
February 25, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
EGYPTIAN authorities yesterday arrested the country's former information minister and the chairman of state TV and radio on corruption allegations, the latest moves by the country's ruling military against senior officials of Hosni Mubarak's ousted government, security officials said.
Authorities also referred to trial two former cabinet ministers and a one-time top official of Mubarak's political party. They will face corruption charges, the security officials said.
Yesterday's arrests of Anas al-Fiqqi, the ex-information minister, and Osama el-Sheikh, the state TV boss, were widely expected. Al-Fiqqi was placed under house arrest earlier this month and el-Sheikh was banned from traveling abroad on Wednesday, steps that often precede a criminal investigation or a trial.
Al-Fiqqi was a confidante of Mubarak and his powerful, one-time heir apparent son Gamal.
Egypt's media have been buzzing with reports of spectacular corruption by members of Mubarak's regime as well as businessmen linked to his government. Authorities are now inviting Egyptians to come forward with evidence of alleged corruption by the toppled regime, pledging not to reveal their identities.
Mubarak himself has been swept up by the anti-graft campaign that has followed his ouster. Earlier this week, authorities froze his assets abroad, as well as those of his wife, two sons and their wives.
The security officials said the al-Fiqqi investigation looked into the fate of 2 million Egyptian pounds (about $340,000) he collected in donations to support a film festival in Cairo. Al-Fiqqi never presented documents explaining how he spent the money, said the officials.
El-Sheikh allegedly used state money to privately produce television programs.
The arrest of the two followed Wednesday's imposition of a travel ban on a former prime minister - Atef Obeid, who served as premier from 1999 to 2004 - and long-serving ex-culture minister Farouq Hosni. The ban on leaving the country was also slapped on nine businessmen and el-Sheikh.
Authorities also referred to trial two former cabinet ministers and a one-time top official of Mubarak's political party. They will face corruption charges, the security officials said.
Yesterday's arrests of Anas al-Fiqqi, the ex-information minister, and Osama el-Sheikh, the state TV boss, were widely expected. Al-Fiqqi was placed under house arrest earlier this month and el-Sheikh was banned from traveling abroad on Wednesday, steps that often precede a criminal investigation or a trial.
Al-Fiqqi was a confidante of Mubarak and his powerful, one-time heir apparent son Gamal.
Egypt's media have been buzzing with reports of spectacular corruption by members of Mubarak's regime as well as businessmen linked to his government. Authorities are now inviting Egyptians to come forward with evidence of alleged corruption by the toppled regime, pledging not to reveal their identities.
Mubarak himself has been swept up by the anti-graft campaign that has followed his ouster. Earlier this week, authorities froze his assets abroad, as well as those of his wife, two sons and their wives.
The security officials said the al-Fiqqi investigation looked into the fate of 2 million Egyptian pounds (about $340,000) he collected in donations to support a film festival in Cairo. Al-Fiqqi never presented documents explaining how he spent the money, said the officials.
El-Sheikh allegedly used state money to privately produce television programs.
The arrest of the two followed Wednesday's imposition of a travel ban on a former prime minister - Atef Obeid, who served as premier from 1999 to 2004 - and long-serving ex-culture minister Farouq Hosni. The ban on leaving the country was also slapped on nine businessmen and el-Sheikh.
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