The New Cairo court has extended the custody detention of former agriculture minister Salah Helal by 15 days over charges of corruption and bribery, which forced him out of office two weeks ago.
Egypt’s presidency asked Helal to submit his resignation after interrogators accused him of receiving bribes from a businessman, through a mediator, in return for legalizing the ownership of a plot of land.
The bribes, according to the Public Prosecution, involved luxury clothing, high-end mobile phones and a sports club membership.
Detention was also extended by 15 days for businessman Mohamed Fouda, the mediator of the alleged bribes, and Ayman al-Gamil, the second party to the notorious deal.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
