Egypt: Judges angry as Sisi’s brother gains influence

Discontent is swelling among high-ranking Egyptian judicial sources angry about the growing influence of Al-Sisi’s brother, Counselor Ahmed Al-Sisi, sources have told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Ahmed Al-Sisi has played a central role in selecting the heads of judicial bodies, including the president of the Supreme Judicial Council and the president of the Court of Cassation.

According to the sources, Al-Sisi’s brother is responsible for the entire judicial system. The Judges Club tried to get him on board to convince the president to reverse a decision to stop tax breaks for judges.

In October Al-Sisi was accused of nepotism after he appointed Ahmed to head a new anti-terror unit with sweeping powers to investigate terrorists, particularly the bank accounts of people suspected of money laundering or supporting terrorism.

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Critics pointed out it was likely the body would be used to target opponents of the regime, in particular members of the Muslim Brotherhood, which was designated a terror organisation not long after it was ousted from power.

Al-Sisi is expanding his family’s influence in the country – at the end of September his eldest son Mahmoud launched a plan to thwart protests against his father’s rule after Egyptians took to the streets in response to a call by the exiled army contractor Mohamed Ali.

Mahmoud holds a senior position in the General Intelligence Service. In September Sinai writer and politician Massaad Abu Fager accused Mahmoud of running a $45 million drug operation through the Gaza-Sinai tunnels.

Corruption and nepotism under ousted President Hosni Mubarak were one of the key issues driving the 2011 uprising.