Egypt detains ex-ministers

Egypt detains ex-ministers

Three former ministers close to Mubarak held on suspicion of wasting public funds in an attempt to calm public outrage.

Last Modified: 17 Feb 2011 23:13 GMT

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An Egyptian prosecutor on Thursday ordered the detention of three ex-ministers and a prominent businessman pending trial on suspicion of wasting public funds.

The prosecutor dealing with financial crimes said former Interior Minister Habib el-Adli, former Tourism Minister Zuhair Garana, former Housing Minister Ahmed el-Maghrabi and steel magnate Ahmed Ezz must be held for 15 days.

All four have denied any wrongdoing.

Suspicions of official graft helped fuel popular anger that led to the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak last week. The charges are seen as a move by the army-led interim government to quell the unrest.

The move will "certainly be seen as a very positive step by the people of Egypt," said Al Jazeera's correspondent in Cairo, Ayman Mohyeldin, who added: "There's no doubt that more dirty laundry of the former regime will be aired, particularly if this case goes to court over the next few weeks."

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