CAIRO: The trial of former Minister of Housing Ahmed al-Maghrabi and former Minister of Tourism Zuheir Garrana will begin before the Cairo Court of Appeals on March 6, reported Egypt's state-run news agency, MENA. The men face charges of profiteering and illicit gain from public funds. Al-Maghrabi is accused of selling 113 acres of state-owned land in 6th of October Governorate to Palm Hills urban Development. The sale reportedly earned him 159 million EGP (U.S. $27 million) and cost the public budget more than 272 million EGP (U.S. $47 million). Garrana is accused of providing his personal acquaintances with licenses to operate travel agencies. Egypt's Attorney General filed charges against a number of other ministers earlier this month after freezing their assets and banning them from leaving the country. BM