CAIRO - In the wake of recent developments in Egypt, more and more former ministers are being allegedly accused of crimes like stealing State funds and defalcation, as well as other administrative and financial violations. It all boils down to widespread corruption and the abuse of power. Many people want a law that would make ministers legally accountable for what they do while in office, as studies show that the biggest obstacle to development and stability is corruption and the abuse of power. Such a law would make it possible to punish ministers and politicians who commit violations. There should also be bodies inside ministries with the authority to accuse any ministerial official of abusing his power to the detriment of public interests and to publish reports giving details of all the violations and corruption. The head of the Supreme Court, Adel Kura, told Al-Messa daily newspaper that ministers, like other citizens, should face trial if they were accused of crimes such as bribery and defalcation of public funds, according to the Penal Code. “Suspected ministers should be referred to trial, if they are not MPs. If they are parliamentarians, their immunity should be lifted, again making them legally accountable,” Kura stressed. According to Kura, a law that would make ministers legally accountable should provide for the full trial of ministers, whether their irregularities are political or criminal. Salah Helal, the head of the Court of Appeal, notes that there is nothing in the Egyptian Constitution to prevent ministers from standing trial, charged with committing irregularities, even if they are still in power. Saad Aboud, a lawyer and former MP, said that there was in fact already a draft law that would allow ministers to stand trial for corruption that is widespread in State institutions. However, the majority in the former Parliament didn't approve this draft law, allowing some ministers and other officials to squander State funds and offer State land and public-sector companies for sale very cheaply. According to the Administrative Control Authority and Central Auditing Agency, governmental corruption has recently been on the increase, while the Legislative Council has been failing to play its supervisory role.
