‘Scandal of the century’

Press, 26 October 1982, Page 9

‘Scandal of the century’

NZPA Cairo Accusations of "illegal activities” have been levelled against the brother of the late President Anwar Sadat in what could be the start of an official, wide-ranging and potentially explosive investigation into what Egyptians are now calling “the scandal of the century.” Already, the name of the slain Egyptian leader has been cited by the Chief Magistrate of the Ethics Court in connection with charges against Esmat Sadat, aged 57, whose enormous personal holdings — considered to be among the largest in Egypt — have been seized by the State. “The argument that the former President took certain measures against his brother to head off accusations; that as President he

was at least guilty of negligence is legally ’ inadmissable.” the magistrate was quoted as saying in a statement appearing in the semiofficial "Al Ahram” newspaper. Other Egyptians, however, interpret the affair through a time-honoured Arab proverb: “A man with a corrupt relative is debased himself.” The revelations have even left Sadat loyalists, such as Ibrahim Seeda, editor-in-chief of “Akhbar El Yom,” uncomfortable. Mr Seeda devoted three front page columns to the argument that President Sadat's degree of responsibility in the matter will depend on the information he had received concerning the operations of his brother. At the moment, no fewer than 21 investigatory com-

missions are compiling an inventory of Esmat Sadat’s property, as well as that of his four wives and 15 children, that is reported to total tens of millions of dollars. Esmat Sadat, who began his career as a bus driver in the Nile Delta region, is today said to own transport and construction firms, five import-export companies, several farms, six villas and some 30 apartments. He is accused on several counts of extortion, misappropriation of public funds, passing fraudulent checks and lying. If he is formally charged by the Ethics Court, where he is expected to appear in an effort to prove that his fortune and that of his family was legally acquired, he would then be tried by a Criminal Tribunal where, if

convicted, he could face a three to 15-year prison sentence. According to press reports President Sadat learned of Esmat’s alleged dealings in 1977 and ordered his brother to stay away from Egyptian ports in a bid to curb his business activities. Esmat was said to have controlled loading and unloading facilities at Alexandria. the country's main port. Rashad Osman, a former member of Parliament from Alexandria, whose assets have been sequestered by the Ethics Court, last December accused Esmat Sadat of plotting against him for control of the port. Mr Osman charged that the struggle had degenerated to the point where armed clashes broke out between the two factions.