Saturday, Oct 13, 2012
Cairo: More than seven years after leaving as heads of two of Egypt’s biggest state-owned press institutions, Ebrahim Nafae and Samir Rajab are wanted to face accusations of graft as part of a high-profile drive declared by Islamist President Mohammad Mursi against corruption of the former regime.
Last week, the chief prosecutor ordered Nafae, an ex-chairman and editor of Al Ahram, Egypt’s flagship state-run newspaper, from leaving the country in connection with investigations into alleged graft and influence peddling. The same order was made against Rajab, a former chairman and editor of the state-run newspaper Al Jumhuria.
For many years, both writers were close to Hosni Mubarak who was forced to step down in February last year in a popular uprising after 30 years in power.
Being a Member of Parliament, Rajab had immunity to questioning. He was also a senior member of the pro-government Supreme Press Council.
Months after their replacement in July 2005, opposition writers demanded that Nafae and Rajab should be probed over alleged illegal enrichment. Their demands were ignored by the Mubarak regime. Nafae kept a low profile after retirement especially when he started to have health problems. He also stopped writing in Al Ahram.
Rajab, meanwhile, published and became the chief editor of 24 Hours, Egypt’s first free-of-charge newspaper. He continued to write a back-page article in Al Jumhuria.
The victory of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mursi in presidential elections this year must have come as a big disappointment for Nafae and Rajab.
Upon taking office at the end of June, Mursi vowed a massive crackdown on corruption. He reiterated the vow earlier this month in an address marking the 39th anniversary of Egypt’s military victory over Israel.
His advisor Bakinam Al Sharqawi, meanwhile, disclosed that “files of major corruption cases” would be shortly opened, saying they would “shake the throne of the corrupt in Egypt.”
Days later, state investigators summoned Hassan Hamdi, a long-time director of Al Ahram advertising agency and an aide to Nafae, for questioning over alleged graft. Hamdi was released pending further investigations after paying a bail of LE2 million ($340,000). On Tuesday, the Justice Ministry’s Illicit Gains Authority ordered Nafae to show up to be quizzed on accusations of amassing illegal wealth from his job in Al Ahram.
Nafae, who is the incumbent head of the Arab Journalists’ Union, denied any wrongdoing.
“I was surprised by this order,” Nafae told the independent newspaper Al Masry Al Youm from France where he said he is receiving medical treatment.
“I’ll return to Egypt after my treatment is complete. I am ready to answer any question from any agency,” he added. “I am only concerned that I will be prevented from leaving (Egypt) for medical treatment.”
The top prosecutor has imposed a travel ban on Nafae after reports compiled by state watchdogs showed he has stashed millions of pounds into bank accounts and illegally owns several luxury properties across the county, said local media.
“Four years ago, I was subjected to intensive investigations, which continued for a year. In the end, I was cleared,” he said.
For his side, Rajab made no comment on the chief prosecutor’s orders including a travel ban and a freeze on his assets and those of his family. Media reports said Rajab had left Egypt for Paris two days before the ban was issued.
“Twenty-one months after the (anti-Mubarak) revolution took place and two days after he left the country, Rajab was banned from travelling and using his money. What a mock justice!” Hamdi Qandil, a prominent pro-democracy activist, wrote in a tweet.
By Ramadan Al Sherbini?Correspondent
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
