Military spokesperson Ahmed Mohamed Ali said the army arrested two people organizing a conference to support Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in the presidential elections, charging them with forgery.
The conference was titled “The Patriotic History of the Egyptian Military and the Presidential Elections: Men, Stances, Sacrifices and Glories," and was set to be held on 12 March in a major hotel in Cairo for an LE1,200 entrance fee.
The individuals allegedly organized the conference, claiming it was an official army-sponsored event.
Ali said in a statement on his official Facebook page that the unknown group called “Bokra Conferences” had contacted businessmen and public figures and invited them to the conference, which will host a major general named Rashad Ahmed and another named Osama Abdel Khalek.
He added that the army does not organize conferences of political nature and that the said persons are not members of the military establishment in service or in retirement.
He said the arrested have been charged with forgery and said that the army did not launch any campaign for Sisi, who continues to serve as commander in chief of the armed forces. Sisi is expected to announce his decision regarding his intentions on running in the upcoming presidential elections.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
