EGYPT
Sudden Justice
Egypt’s military has developed a sudden concern for justice.
On Tuesday, following retired general Sami Anan’s announcement he would run against incumbent President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in an election scheduled for March, the army detained Anan for questioning. In an official statement, the army accused Anan of “violations and crimes” including document forgery and “incitement against the armed forces,” the New York Times reported.
Anan, 69, was not considered a strong challenger. But his detention comes after three other potential presidential candidates have already dropped out of the race, including former prime minister Ahmed Shafik, who reportedly withdrew due to threats he’d be prosecuted on corruption charges. Anwar Sadat, a nephew of the former president, also withdrew, citing official intimidation and harassment. Sisi’s last significant challenger, the leftist lawyer Khaled Ali, faces disqualification if he fails to overturn a criminal conviction for public indecency on March 7.
The move on Anan shows Sisi still enjoys complete control over the military, despite recent moves to replace the army chief and head of the spy agency.
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