CAIRO: Egypt's security officials banned on Monday a Swedish activist and NGO worker from leaving the country to Cyprus, saying that his name was among those banned from traveling due to their involvement in ongoing investigations of NGOs receiving foreign funding. The Cairo Airport said it had barred the Swedish NGO worker from exiting Egypt in accordance with the decision of the Attorney General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud, who listed the worker's name on the list of those barred from leaving the country, adding that Jea Eric, 65-years-old, was working in an organization called “Think and Work,” specializing in financing the building of churches. He was prevented from getting on board a plane leaving for Larnaca, Cyprus, however, he was allowed to leave the airport without being arrested. Egypt has referred 43 NGO employees, including 29 foreigners, 19 of whom are American, to trial following investigations into illegal foreign funding of civil society organizations in Egypt. The row has left tensions high between Washington and Cairo, with the United States demanding an end to the crackdown on NGOs in the country. Threats of ending aid to Egypt have been met by Egypt without any action to end the dispute. The trial for the workers begins on February 26. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/ae1DG Tags: featured, NGO, Sweden, Travel Ban Section: Egypt, Europe, Human Rights, Latest News
