Egyptian police have detained former anti-graft chief, family says
Former Egyptian anti-corruption chief Hisham Genena, who had been campaigning to elect the main challenger to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, was arrested yesterday, his family and lawyer said.
Nada Genena said police officers took her father from his home in Cairo, reported Reuters. His wife, Wafaa Kedieh, said that he was taken to the military prosecution.
Ali Taha, Mr Genena’s lawyer, confirmed that his client had been arrested.
An interior ministry official said he had no knowledge of the incident.
The arrest comes a day after the army said it would take action to safeguard its “honour and dignity” following incendiary comments by Mr Genena.
Mr Genena had been helping to run the election campaign of former military chief of staff Sami Anan, who was himself detained last month after the army accused him of breaking the law by running for office without permission. He faces charges of incitement against the military and forgery.
Earlier this week, Mr Genena said in an interview to HuffPort Arabi news website that Mr Anan was in possession of documents incriminating the country’s leadership. He said that they were being kept abroad and would be released if any harm came to Mr Anan.
The military in a statement late on Monday said it would pursue all “legal measures” against anyone who tried to harm Egypt’s national security. It was not immediately clear if Tuesday’s incident was linked to the military statement.
Mr Anan’s lawyer criticised Mr Genena, writing on Twitter that the statements made by Mr Genena were “completely untrue”, but without specifying which statements he was referring to.
“We will take all necessary legal measures against anyone who makes media statements on Mr Anan’s words and actions which harm his legal position,” the lawyer Nasser Amin wrote.
Mr Genena was beaten up last month shortly after the detention of Mr Anan and accused the government of being behind his assault. His alleged assailants said his injuries were the result of a fight after a car accident.
All of Egypt’s main challengers to Mr Sisi, who is seeking a second term in the March 26-28 vote, have pulled out of the race, citing intimidation of their supporters and other tactics designed to give the incumbent an easy win.
Egypt says the 2018 presidential election will be free and fair.