Former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq denied Wednesday media reports claiming he received messages threatening him to end his political activities Egypt, Al Bawaba News reported. Shafiq told Al Bawaba that certain Egyptian media outlets were publishing false rumors about him, adding that they aimed at driving a wedge between his supporters and President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi.
"I have not received any messages from Egypt's ruling regime not to return to my country," he said.
The Egyptian newspaper Shorouk had published Monday a report attributed to 'a high-profile source,' saying that Shafiq had received what it described as a 'final and clear message' to suspend his activities on the Egyptian political scene.
The newspaper added that the message came after Egypt's security agencies had monitored attempts by Shafiq to fuel skepticism over Sisi's legitimacy.
Shafiq declared that his lawyer would file a lawsuit against the newspaper, pointing out that supporters of the former presidential candidate, Hamdein Sabbahi, were responsible for spreading these rumors.
His lawyer will also submit a formal request to Egypt's Attorney General asking him to lift his name from the airport watch lists. Shafiq has been residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.
Banners in support of the former presidential candidate have been plastered all over the streets of Cairo in coordination with a campaign launched by a number of businesspersons and politicians entitled "You Are the President".
The campaign calls for opening an investigation in the rigging of the 2012 presidential elections, that then-Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi won, raising heated controversy among Egyptians.
Shafiq's lawyer and Deputy Chairperson of the National Movement Party, Yehia Qadry said he would take legal measures against the promoters of such rumors. He highlighted that his client had been acquitted of all the charges brought against him in various lawsuits and that he had every right to return to his country.
