Egypt MP detained over 'blood scandal'

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2007

CAIRO (AFP) — An Egyptian court on Saturday ordered the detention of a ruling party MP whose company sold the health ministry faulty blood bags, causing widespread panic and a severe drop in blood donations.

Judge Ahmed Ezzat al-Ashmawi ordered the detention of MP Hani Surur and six others including his sister -- all are currently on trial for fraud and profiteering-- until the next court session on November 11.

In January, a health ministry employee publicly accused Surur, a member of President Hosni Mubarak's ruling party, of fraud after his company Hayedelena for Advanced Medical Industries Company (HAMIC) -- the health ministry's only blood bag supplier -- sold the ministry tens of thousands of faulty blood bags.

The press reported heavily on the the...