20110618
Xinhua
CAIRO, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday sent the files of the fugitive Egyptian businessman Hussein Salem, a close associate of former President Hosni Mubarak, to the Spanish authorities for his extradition.

Egyptian General Prosecutor Abdel Meguid Mahmoud approved the dispatch of the file of Hussein Salem, who was arrested Thursday in the Spanish island of Majorca, after coordination with the Foreign Ministry and the Egyptian Interpol, state news agency MENA reported.

"The file contains a full copy of investigation of the general prosecution on the crimes the businessman committed and the evidences of his accusation," said Adel Saed, spokesman of the general prosecution.

Salem, accused as an complice in Mubarak's corruption case, fled from Egypt in February and was referred to criminal court last month by general prosecutor along with Mubarak and his two sons.

The first trial session of the Mubarak trio is scheduled on Aug. 3. They were accused of a range of charges, including premeditated murder of protesters during the nationwide anti-government demonstration, misusing presidential power for private gains and profits, and squandering public funds.

Salem was accused of his involvement of exporting natural gas to Israel at low prices together with former Petroleum Minister Sameh Fahmy, squandering state funds and illegally gaining financial benefits for themselves.

He was also accused of giving properties to Mubarak and his sons in exchange for his access to thousands of feddans of state land for his lucrative tourist projects.