Three ex-Egyptian ministers arrested over corruption allegations

CAIRO - Egyptian security forces have arrested former Interior Minister Habib el-Adly and two other ex-ministers as part of an investigation into corruption.

El-Adly had served as Interior Minister for 12 years, and was a close ally of former President Hosni Mubarak before he was toppled from power by 18 days of protests earlier this month.

According to Xinhua news agency, former Housing Minister Ahmed el-Maghrabi and former Tourism Minister Zuheir Garana were the other two taken into custody on Thursday.

The authorities also arrested steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz, once a prominent member of the ruling National Democratic Party.

All four face allegations that range from money laundering to abuse of authority and squandering state wealth.

They are likely to be held for at least 15 days, according to officials, and were among about a dozen former ministers and businessmen who are under investigation for suspected corruption.

Once the investigation was under way, the four were banned from travel abroad and had their assets frozen. (ANI)