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Egypt Charges Ex-Official With Corruption Egypt to Try Ex-Official On Charge Of Corruption
(35 minutes later)
CAIRO — Farouk Hosni, who for more than two decades served as culture minister under President Hosni Mubarak, was charged with corruption on Tuesday, state media reported, joining other former government officials and businessmen accused of using their positions and connections to enriching themselves. CAIRO — Farouk Hosni, who for more than two decades served as culture minister under President Hosni Mubarak, was charged with corruption on Tuesday, the state news media reported, joining other former government officials and businessmen accused of using their positions and connections to enriching themselves.
Justice Ministry officials also announced an investigation into new corruption claims against the deposed leader, Mr. Mubarak, and his sons, Gamal and Alaa — all three currently imprisoned — along with his wife, Suzanne, who was released from custody last year after agreeing to turn over about $4 million in assets alleged to be stolen from the state.Justice Ministry officials also announced an investigation into new corruption claims against the deposed leader, Mr. Mubarak, and his sons, Gamal and Alaa — all three currently imprisoned — along with his wife, Suzanne, who was released from custody last year after agreeing to turn over about $4 million in assets alleged to be stolen from the state.
Mr. Hosni, who was made culture minister in 1987 and was close to Mrs. Mubarak, failed to convincingly explain how he got about $3 million in assets, state media said, and has been referred to court for trial. In a slightly different account, Al Ahram, a semiofficial newspaper, said Mr. Hosni was asked to return about $1.5 million in state assets and was fined the same sum. Mr. Hosni, who was made culture minister in 1987 and was close to Mrs. Mubarak, failed to convincingly explain how he got about $3 million in assets, the state news media said, and has been referred to court for trial. In a slightly different account, Al Ahram, a semiofficial newspaper, said Mr. Hosni was asked to return about $1.5 million in state assets and was fined the same sum.
The Justice Ministry did not respond to calls on Tuesday.The Justice Ministry did not respond to calls on Tuesday.
Removed from his post in 2011 amid the popular uprising, Mr. Hosni was for a time banned from leaving Egypt. He still lives in the country.Removed from his post in 2011 amid the popular uprising, Mr. Hosni was for a time banned from leaving Egypt. He still lives in the country.
On Tuesday he insisted that his wealth was legally obtained, the result of investments and sales of his paintings — he is an artist known for his brightly colored, abstract canvases — according to an interview with Akhbar El Youm, another semiofficial paper.On Tuesday he insisted that his wealth was legally obtained, the result of investments and sales of his paintings — he is an artist known for his brightly colored, abstract canvases — according to an interview with Akhbar El Youm, another semiofficial paper.
Mr. Hosni could not be reached for comment. He remains free.Mr. Hosni could not be reached for comment. He remains free.
On his Web site, Mr. Hosni presents himself as “a painter from Egypt,” though he notes that he was Egyptian culture minister and provides many photos of himself with celebrities and world leaders.On his Web site, Mr. Hosni presents himself as “a painter from Egypt,” though he notes that he was Egyptian culture minister and provides many photos of himself with celebrities and world leaders.
Also absent from his Web site is any mention of Mr. Mubarak, who is serving a life sentence in a Cairo prison hospital in connection with the nearly 900 people killed by security forces during the revolution. Mr. Mubarak’s sons are in the same prison, awaiting trial on charges of insider trading related to a bank sale. Also absent from his Web site is any mention of Mr. Mubarak, who is serving a life sentence in a Cairo prison hospital as an accessory to the killings of nearly 900 people by security forces during the revolution. Mr. Mubarak’s sons are in the same prison, awaiting trial on charges of insider trading related to a bank sale.
The new corruption investigation into the Mubaraks pertains to a purchase of state-owned land north of Cairo, Al Ahram reported. That inquiry closely resembles another investigation into a land purchase involving the Mubaraks and Ahmed Shafik, Mr. Mubarak’s last prime minister.The new corruption investigation into the Mubaraks pertains to a purchase of state-owned land north of Cairo, Al Ahram reported. That inquiry closely resembles another investigation into a land purchase involving the Mubaraks and Ahmed Shafik, Mr. Mubarak’s last prime minister.
This year in June, Mr. Shafik lost a bid for the presidency and left Egypt. He is now wanted for questioning about the land sale. This June, Mr. Shafik lost a bid for the presidency and left Egypt. He is now wanted for questioning about the land sale.
Also on Tuesday, President Mohamed Morsi appointed 10 new regional governors, his government announced, including 4 members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist group in which Mr. Morsi was a leader before his election. Three other appointees are former generals; their appointment is an apparent nod to the still powerful Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, or SCAF. Also on Tuesday, President Mohamed Morsi appointed 10 new regional governors, his government announced, including 4 members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamist group in which Mr. Morsi was a leader before his election. Three other appointees are former generals; their appointments are an apparent nod to the still powerful Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, or SCAF.
Since his election, Mr. Morsi has vied for power with SCAF, which has deep ties to the Mubarak government. Since his election, Mr. Morsi has vied for power with the council, which has deep ties to the Mubarak government. In July, however, he forced several top commanders into retirement and allowed a new generation of officers to take their place.

Mayy El Sheikh contributed reporting.

Mayy El Sheikh contributed reporting.