Egypt ‘Following Up’ On Nationals Detained In Kuwait: Presidential Adviser

Egypt’s presidency on Sunday announced that Ayman Ali, President Mohamed Morsi’s advisor for expatriate affairs, was following up on the case of some 20 Egyptian nationals recently detained by authorities in Kuwait.

Ali, along with Vice-President Mahmoud Mekky and foreign ministry officials, are reportedly conducting talks with the Kuwaiti foreign ministry and Egypt’s embassy in Kuwait in an effort to resolve the case of some 20 Egyptians arrested in Kuwait for alleged “political activities.”

According to the president’s office, Egypt’s foreign ministry was working to stop the deportation of the detained Egyptians.

Last Friday, Kuwaiti authorities arrested 20 Egyptians who had gathered to celebrate Islamic New Year at an event organised by representatives Egypt’s Constitution Party and Popular Current movement.

Kuwaiti authorities, currently dealing with a wave of anti-government protests, say the event violated laws banning large gatherings of a “political nature.”

Constitution Party founder Mohamed ElBaradei and former presidential candidate Hisham El-Bastawisi have both said they were working with the UK’s embassy in Kuwait to stop the deportation of the detained Egyptians.

Ahram