Egypt begins court proceedings against foreign and domestic NGOs

[maddezmom]

By Leila Fadel, Sunday, February 26, 6:38 AM

CAIRO — An Egyptian court began proceedings against 43 defendants on Sunday in a deepening crackdown on foreign and domestic non-governmental organizations in Egypt.

NGOs being targeted include the U.S.-funded National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute and the U.S.-based Freedom House. The Egyptian investigation, which began in the summer, has set off a diplomatic crisis between the Egyptian and U.S. governments and has prompted U.S. lawmakers to threaten to cut off the $1.55 billion annual aid package to Egypt.

At least 16 of the named defendants are American, seven of whom are in the country and barred from leaving.

On Sunday afternoon, no foreigners appeared in the courtroom prosecution cage and most Americans had taken refuge in the U.S. Embassy. An official from NDI said foreigners had not received official summons and had decided not to appear. Most Egyptians who appeared Sunday had not been officially summoned.

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/egypt-begins-trial-against-foreign-and-domestic-ngos/2012/02/26/gIQAD2pZbR_story.html

[CAPHAVOC]

1. Bad for tourism

They can keep the Pyramids if they want to act like this. Who in their right mind would visit Egypt?

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. There's an International Republican Institute???

I would like to know exactly what these...NGOs..are really doing.

[former9thward]

3. The National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute

are NGOs trying to promote U.S. ideals in Egypt. The NDI is associated with the Democratic party and the IRI is associated with the Republican party. Both are funded by the U.S. government.

[Comrade Grumpy]

4. Would what these people did be legal if they were foreigners doing it here?