(Image Source: Bikya Masr)
BY ALYSSA CARTEE AND KYLIE MCGIVERN
43 non-government organization workers will face trial in Egypt, including 19 American workers, one of which is Sam LaHood -- the son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Al-Ahran explains the investigation.
“... [they] are accused of influencing political groups in Egypt by offering funding through their NGOs and will be prosecuted as a result of the ministry of justice investigation.”
But many are saying the investigation is more about making a statement, than actual wrongdoing. Egyptian activists describe the crackdown as a step backward - to the Mubarak-era mentality -- rather than a move forward. A government minister who serves under Mubarak is spearheading the investigation.
“Human rights activists fear the raids are revenge for their links to secular pro-democracy movements in Egypt...They complain that the breach of the law cited – illegal foreign funding – is not used against suspected support for religious groups from wealthy Gulf countries.”
Several of the American NGO offices were raided in late December. An analyst told Fox Business Network the workers have been worried ever since.
“The American NGOs, the people who are not working for the government, but who are doing good deeds in Egypt … a lot of them have gone into the American embassy in Cairo because they’re afraid of what might happen to them.”
Some feel the actions have greater implications - and that this is about more than investigating a legal funding issue. BBC reports.
“... Cairo's action has widely been seen as an attack on free speech and an attempt by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces' (SCAF) to silence critics of its attempt to put down ongoing street protests.”
But CNN reports, Cairo’s attempts to silence has Congress members speaking out.
“Egypt's investigation of and raids on U.S. democracy support groups working in that country could mean the end of U.S. aid to Egypt, members of Congress told top Obama administration officials, as well as the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, last week.”
The two countries have been close allies for more than three decades. The Wall Street Journal quotes US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the investigations that could rock that steady foundation.
"We are very clear that there are problems that arise from this situation that can impact all the rest of our relationship in Egypt ... We don't want that."
As the Washington Post points out, threatening to cut off Egypt’s U.S. aid - including $1.3 billion of military assistance given each year - is a swift, strong and unusual response.
“The investigation has triggered unusually blunt warnings from Capitol Hill to a nation that has for years been seen as a stalwart ally.”
Egypt’s ruling military has remained silent on the NGO raids. There is currently no date set for the start of trial.
 |  |  |  |
