The spokesperson for Egypt's public prosecution services has denied reports that Public Prosecutor Abdel Meguid Mahmoud, who is currently undergoing medical treatment abroad, has been removed from his post. Adel al-Saeed told state-run news agency MENA on Saturday that Mahmoud, who traveled to Germany last week for a medical checkup, is in good health after minor surgery on the cervical vertebrae in his upper spine. Saeed said Mahmoud is following the progress of various investigations and major cases through daily phone calls. He said he is expected to return home soon to resume his work. Speaking to Al-Masry Al-Youm, former Judges Club president Zakariya Abdel Aziz denied reports circulated on social networking websites that he had been nominated by the presidency for the public prosecutor post, describing such reports as baseless rumors. Mohamed Fouad Gadallah, legal adviser to President Mohamed Morsy, also denied the news in a statement to Egyptian daily Al-Shorouk. Mahmoud came under fire from activist groups after several senior security figures were acquitted of killing protesters during the 25 January revolution. Activists called for Mahmoud's removal over what they described as the failure of the prosecution to secure the evidence necessary for conviction.
