Egyptian Officials Say Travel Ban On US Employees Of Pro-Democracy Groups Is Lifted

[Purveyor]

Source: Washington Post

CAIRO — Egypt on Wednesday lifted a travel ban on seven Americans being tried on charges that the pro-democracy groups they worked for fomented unrest with illegal foreign funding. The shift signals an end to the worst crisis in relations between Egypt and the U.S. in 30 years.

The dispute had put $1.5 billion in U.S. aid to Egypt at risk, sparking intense behind-the-scenes negotiations between U.S. officials and Egypt’s ruling military to find a solution.

Egyptian officials said the travel ban was lifted by the country’s top prosecutor at the recommendation of the case’s investigating judge. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.

It was not immediately clear whether the charges against the Americans would be dropped. However, defense lawyer Tharwat Abdel-Shaheed said the seven Americans could only leave the country if they post bail set at 2 million Egyptian pounds (about $300,000). The seven have also signed pledges to attend the next hearing.

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Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/egyptian-officials-say-travel-ban-on-us-employees-of-pro-democracy-groups-is-lifted/2012/02/29/gIQAJ6JRiR_story.html

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Good to see that sometimes the 'behind-the-scenes' stuff works. Maybe it did in

N. Korea as well.