Writer and economist Abdel Khalek Farouk was detained on October 21 after publishing a book titled ‘Is Egypt Really a Poor Country?’ that allegedly contained false criticism about Egypt’s economy. The 61- year-old author has published more than 20 books analyzing Egypt’s economy. His latest book ‘Is Egypt Really a Poor Country?’ was yet to be available to the public. It was confiscated at the publishing house as it was being prepared for print. The Supreme State Security Prosecutions issued an arrest warrant for both Farouk and the owner of the publishing house, Ibrahim El-Khatib. After their interrogation on Monday, Farouk and El-Khatib were held in custody at the Shorouk Police Station. However, El-Khatib was released while Farouk’s fait is yet to be determined. “It contained false information that would affect the national economy,” a security source told Egypt Independent. In the book, Farouk has allegedly analyzed Egypt’s economic crisis and criticized it the country’s policies. According to Naglaa Ossma, Farouk’s wife, the authorities have informed the economist that he was arrested on the charges of spreading false news through his book. After the book was seized, Farouk released the book…
Egyptian Economist Abdel Khalek Farouk Arrested for Criticizing Egypt’s Economy
October 24, 2018
