FILE – Egyptian businessman Hassan Rateb

CAIRO – June 28, 2021: Security forces have arrested Egyptian businessman Hassan Rateb for funding a former parliamentarian in connection with illegal antique searches, a statement revealed.

Interrogations carried out by the authorities with MP Alaa Hassanin, who had previously been arrested along with other members, resulted in the accusation being directed against Rateb.

Prosecution investigations, the statement said, uncovered fundraising operations worth millions of Egyptian pounds secured by Rateb for the Hassanin, his son and members of his gang to dig for antiques.

Hassanin’s confession confirmed that Rateb had paid millions of Egyptian pounds for antiques, the statement said.

A judge ordered the detention of Hassanin and three others for 15 days pending investigation.

Police forces arrested Hassanin last week for leading a gang involved in searching and trafficking in antiques. The prosecution ordered his detention for four days pending investigation.

The prosecution said it also detained 17 members of the gang he led for four days after being caught red-handed with 201 artifacts.