Global General

Mubarak-linked businessman detained in Spain

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-17 09:35

CAIRO - Egyptian security officials said fugitive businessman Hussein Salem, an accomplice in the corruption case of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, was arrested Thursday in Spain.

Salem was seized in his villa by the Spanish authorities on the island of Majorca, Egyptian state news agency MENA quoted director general of the Egyptian Interpol Magdy Shafei as saying.

Shafei said Egypt will send Salem's file to the Spanish authorities for his extradition and he will face trial before the Egyptian criminal court together with Mubarak and his two sons, Alaa and Gamal.

Salem, a close associate of Mubarak, was referred to the criminal court last month by Egyptian public prosecutor.

The first trial session of Mubarak and his two sons is scheduled on August 3. They were accused of a range of charges, including premeditated murder of protesters during the nationwide anti-government demonstrations, misusing presidential power for private gains and profits, and squandering public funds.

Salem was accused of involvement in exporting natural gas to Israel at low prices together with the former petroleum minister Sameh Fahmy, squandering state funds and illegally gaining financial benefits.

He was also accused of giving properties to Mubarak and his sons in exchange for access to thousands of feddans of state lands for his lucrative tourist projects.

There is no convention of extradition between Cairo and Madrid, local media quoted security sources as saying.