CAIRO: The North Cairo Criminal Court ordered Thursday ex-chief of presidential staff, Zakaria Azmy, remanded in custody for 30 days revoking an earlier decision by the Cassation Court to release him on a LE 200,000 bail. Azmy's release might affect the still ongoing investigations, the court said. He is to serve the latest 30 days after previous detention orders are served. In its demands to the court to overturn the previous ruling, the prosecution expressed fears that Azmy might influence witnesses if he is released. New evidence was found against him, the prosecution added. Fareed El-Deeb, Azmy's lawyer, told the court that Azmy regularly presented his financial disclosures noting that when examined no suspicions were raised. El-Deeb said the decision to remand Azmy in custody was “abusive” as there are alternative precautionary measures. "How come they [Illicit Gains Authority] added charges after the release order? This is the fault of the investigating authority," El-Deeb said in Azmy's defense. He said that they can't allow "the masses" to interfere in judicial rulings and that "the world won't fall apart" if the judge supported the release decision. The decisions to release Azmy on bail and former first lady Suzanne Thabet after “relinquishing” two bank accounts and a villa were heavily criticized. Azmy was summoned late Wednesday by the Illicit Gains Authority to question him on two properties not mentioned in previous investigations. Charges include ownership of an apartment in Alexandria that he failed to admit, as well as an apartment in Heliopolis that he bought in the name of Gamal and Alaa Mubarak. The Illicit Gains Authority has challenged the Cassation Court's decision to release Azmy before the North Cairo Criminal Court and said it will file two new charges against him. Al-Deeb said that the apartment is owned by Azmy's brother in law who has been working as a doctor in Dubai for 21 years. Financial disclosures for state employees should include properties of relatives from the fourth degree.
