Sami Anan was widely viewed as the most qualified contender in the election. His arrest now leaves only one other candidate, Khaled Aly, in the race against President Sisi — and Aly faces a lawsuit that could disqualify him.
« All legal measures will be taken against him including his questioning, » the statement said.
The arrest was harshly criticized by Anan’s staff and supporters. Mostafa Al-Shal, Anan’s office manager, claimed that Anan had yet to even submit his candidacy papers to the election committee and had only « expressed his intention to run. »
Presidential candidates are required to register with Egypt’s National Elections Authority by January 29th, according to state media.
Anan announced last week that he would run against the incumbent President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in the March elections. Anan declared his candidacy in a video criticizing the current government.
Anan was Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces until 2012, when then-President Mohamed Morsi removed the military’s top brass.
