CAIRO - An Egyptian-US academic and human rights activist returned to Egypt late Wednesday without security hurdles for his first visit after a three-year optional exile despite outstanding complaints filed against him for damaging Egyptian interests. Saad Eddin Ibrahim's return is coming at a sensitive period as opposition voices have become more vocal than ever before. "This is family visit, a homecoming," he said. He said he was looking forward to "quietly" meeting with former students, friends and family. "I hope nothing will happen." Ibrahim arrived on a wheelchair accomapnied by his US wife Brabra and met by some of his lawyers as well as his brother Ahmed Rizq Ibrahim. Ten years ago, Ibrahim was charged with embezzlement and tarnishing the image of the country in a series of trials and imprisonments that dragged on for three years and came to symbolize the state's intolerance of criticism. The US administration criticised his incarceration and the issue became a sore point between the two governments. Ibrahim was eventually acquitted and continued writing and advocating for greater freedoms in Egypt until a series of complaints filed by private citizens with links to the government forced him to leave the country or face more lengthy litigation. His lawyer Shady Talaat said Egypt's prosecutor "reassured" him that Ibrahim is not on a wanted list but declined to discuss nine outstanding complaints. Talaat said he feared the complaints were being kept in reserve by the government and could still be implemented. Ibrahim will be in Cairo for a two week visit.
