Egypt Refers Graft Complaint Against Shafik to Investigation

Egypt’s public prosecutor referred a corruption-related complaint against presidential candidate Ahmed Shafik for investigation, the state-run news agency said today.

Abdel Meguid Mahmoud asked that public funds prosecutors investigate allegations that Shafik sold a plot of land below market price to Gamal Mubarak, the son of ousted President Hosni Mubarak, squandering state funds, the Middle East News Agency reported. The complaint was lodged by lawmaker Essam Sultan.

Shafik, who served as premier in the waning days of Mubarak’s administration, is one of 13 candidates contesting presidential elections due to start on May 23. In a poll published today in the state-run Al-Ahram newspaper, Shafik came second with 19.9 percent of the 1,200 people surveyed.

A statement by Shafik’s campaign denied all the accusations, and said the complaint was politically motivated and an act of “blackmail” that will not obstruct his bid, MENA reported yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mariam Fam in Cairo at mfam1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andrew J. Barden in Dubai at barden@bloomberg.net