Egypt police detain former anti-graft chief, family says

Hisham Genena was taken from his home in Cairo, his daughter said

In this February 7, 2018 photo, Hisham Genena, a former top auditor in Egypt, speaks during an interview at his home in Cairo, Egypt. Amr Nabil / AP

Former Egyptian anti-corruption chief Hisham Genena, who had been campaigning to elect the main challenger to president Abdel Fattah El Sisi, was arrested on Tuesday, his family and lawyer said.

Nada Genena said police officers took her father from his home in Cairo, reported Reuters. His wife, Wafaa Kedieh, said that he was taken to the military prosecution.

Ali Taha, Mr Genena’s lawyer, confirmed that his client had been arrested.

The arrest comes a day after the army said it would take action to safeguard its “honour and dignity” following incendiary comments by Mr Genena.

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Mr Genena had been helping to run the election campaign of former military chief of staff Sami Anan who was himself detained last month after the army accused him of breaking the law by running for office without permission. He faces charges of incitement against the military and forgery.

Earlier this week, Mr Genena said in an interview to HuffPort Arabi news website that Mr Anan was in possession of documents incriminating the country’s “leadership”. He added that they were being kept abroad and would be released if any harm came to Mr Anan.

It was not immediately clear if Tuesday's incident was linked to the military statement.

The presidential election is set to be held at the end of March. Mr El Sisi is virtually certain to win a second four-year term.