The former head of state flagship newspaper Al-Ahram says he was surprised when the Illicit Gains Authority issued a warrant for his arrest.
Authority head Yehia Galal issued the warrant Tuesday for Ibrahim Nafaa after he reportedly failed to appear for previous summons regarding corruption allegations.
Nafaa, who served as editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram from 1979 to 1984, claimed he had never been previously summoned for interrogation.
He is in Paris for medical tests, but told Al-Masry Al-Youm he plans to return to Egypt when his treatment is completed and that he is not afraid of being questioned by any authority. He said he became ill five years ago and occasionally travels abroad for medical tests.
Nafaa is accused of exploiting his position to increase his wealth in ways not commensurate with his source of income, state-run MENA news agency reported Tuesday. According to the Administrative Control Authority, Nafaa used his position to obtain properties in Alexandria, Sharm el-Sheikh and Cairo and land in several governorates, independent newspaper Youm7 reported.
Nafaa, who is also the former chairman of the Cairo-based Arab Journalists Union, said he paid taxes on his Al-Ahram salary.
He claims he was interrogated four years ago over the same corruption allegations, but was released as the charges were not substantiated. He condemned the publicity the arrest warrant has received.
Nafaa is known to be one of the most prominent defenders of deposed President Hosni Mubarak's administration.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
