CAIRO: The Illicit Gains Authority remanded former Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif in custody for another 15 days pending investigations on charges of profiteering and inflation of wealth. In the case of inciting violence against protestors in the "Battle of the Camel" on Feb. 2, the Criminal Court refused the appeal of former PA speaker, Fathi Sorour. He remains in detention. Nazif denied the charges late Monday and signed a consent form to reveal his secret accounts inside and outside Egypt. Meanwhile, the Cairo Criminal Court approved Tuesday a request by the authority to suspend Nazif's access to his bank accounts. He is accused of using his post as a government official to acquire three palaces worth LE 75 million, two apartments in Dokki and another two in Alexandria, 30 pieces of land in Sixth of October City, a number of villas and apartments in Solimanyah Gardens and San Stefano in Alexandria, as well as owning eight companies active in the field of communication and information technology. He responded to these accusations by saying that his wealth was gained from working in the IT field before joining the former Cabinet. Sorour is accused of involvement in inciting violence in the attacks during 18 days of protests ousted the former president and left hundreds injured. He said in front of the court that his political and legal status mean that he could not have participated in these incidents and that thugs from Sayeda Zeinab, Sorour's constituency, might have been there but not upon his orders.
