By Sarah Daoud
CAIRO: The General Prosecutor ordered on Monday the detention of the head of the Industrial Development Authority Amr Assal for 15 days pending investigation in chargers of squandering public funds. According to state-run daily Al-Ahram, Assal is accused of squandering LE 680 million ($114 million) of public funds by illegally granting factory licenses to Ahmed Ezz, chairman of Ezz Steel and former head of the steering committee of the National Democratic Party. Ezz has also been detained pending investigation on possible squandering of public funds, but has denied the accusations. Also being detained are former Interior Minister Habib al-Adly, who was charged with money laundering and profiteering, and ex-Tourism Minister Zuhair Garana, accused of intentionally damaging public funds and the allowing of others to benefit financially.
