Former Egyptian minister, state TV boss arrested

[February 24, 2011]  CAIRO (AP) -- Egyptian authorities on Thursday arrested the country's former information minister and the chairman of state TV and radio on corruption allegations, security officials said.

The arrests of Anas al-Fiqqi and Osama el-Sheikh are the latest steps Egypt's ruling generals have taken against prominent figures in the regime of ousted President Hosni Mubarak, who handed power to the military when he stepped down Feb. 11.

Former Information Minister al-Fiqqi was a confidante of Mubarak and his powerful, one-time heir apparent son Gamal. Under their stewardship, state TV persistently discredited the young organizers of the 18-day uprising that forced Mubarak to step down after nearly 30 years of authoritarian rule.

Egypt's media has been buzzing with reports of spectacular corruption by members of Mubarak's regime as well as businessmen linked to his government. Authorities are 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 followed his stunning 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 pounds (about $340,000) he collected in donations to support of a film festival in Cairo. They had no more details.

Al-Fiqqi never presented documents explaining how he spent the money, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

El-Sheikh, said the officials, allegedly used state money to privately produce TV programs.

The arrest of al-Fiqqi and el-Sheikh followed the imposition Wednesday of a travel ban on a former prime minister and an ex-minister who handled the nation's cultural affairs for more than 25 years. El-Sheikh also was banned from leaving the country on Wednesday, together with nine businessmen.

Al-Fiqqi has already been placed under house arrest pending the completion of a corruption probe.

Also Wednesday, an angry crowd of hundreds taunted three former high-ranking members of Mubarak's regime when they arrived in court for a corruption hearing, screaming "thieves" and "you robbed our money."

The three former top officials who appeared in a Cairo Criminal Court -- ex-Housing Minister Ahmed Maghrabi, former Tourism Minister Zuheir Garana and steel tycoon and prominent ruling party leader Ahmed Ezz -- wore white prison uniforms and sat in a metal cage as a judge issued a ruling blocking any commercial dealings in their properties.

Maghrabi shouted out from behind the cage: "I will not be a scapegoat. I am innocent." Ezz and Garana also said they were innocent.

The trio, who face allegations that range from abuse of authority to squandering state wealth, are among some two dozen ex-ministers and businessmen who are under investigation. The protesters who ousted Mubarak often mentioned corruption as a key motive behind their movement.

The popular anger felt against such former regime power brokers was evident Wednesday. As the vehicles carrying Maghrabi, Garana and Ezz drove through the streets of Cairo to the courthouse, dozens of cars followed them honking and people chanted "there are the thieves."

When they arrived at the packed court, more than 500 people had gathered outside the building to shout at them.

Wednesday's travel ban was slapped on former Prime Minister Atef Obeid, who served as premier from 1999 to 2004, as well as long-serving Culture Minister Farouq Hosni and el-Sheikh, the state TV and radio chief.

[Associated Press; By HAMZA HENDAWI]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.