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Mubarak-era politician and businessman applies to run for elections – lawyer
CAIRO, Feb 8 (Aswat Masriya) - Ahmed Ezz, one of the most prominent politicians during the era of former president Hosni Mubarak, applied on Sunday for candidacy in the upcoming parliamentary elections, his lawyer told Aswat Masriya.
Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Menoufia court where he applied, to voice their objection to Ezz's decision, prompting security forces to increase their presence outside the court.
The period for parliamentary hopefuls to apply for candidacies started today and is expected to last for 10 days. Ezz's lawyer Mohamed Hamouda said Ezz's application papers were handed in after all the paperwork was completed. The application was presented by lawyers on behalf of Ezz.
On late Saturday, the Mubarak-era politician announced his intention to run for a seat in the upcoming parliamentary elections, state-run newspaper al-Ahram reported.
According to Ahram, Ezz took the medical tests which must be taken prior to applying to be a candidate.
Ezz was one of the main politicians and businessmen on the scene towards the end of Mubarak's 30-year rule.
He served as secretary-general of the now defunct National Democratic Party, the ruling party under Mubarak. The party was dissolved by court order following the January 2011 uprising which toppled Mubarak.
He came to be known as a steel tycoon after becoming the chairman of Ezz Steel, the largest steel company in the country. He vacated his managerial position at the company in 2011
Following the 2011 uprising, Ezz was arrested and faced charges in five different court cases. He was handed several prison sentences but all of them were overturned by Egypt's Court of Cassation.
He was released in August after being ordered to pay on installments hundreds of millions of pounds as a steel monopoly fine.
The upcoming parliamentary elections are scheduled to begin in March, with the first phase taking place on March 22 and 23 and the second phase running from April 26 to 27.
Once held the parliamentary elections would mark the completion of the roadmap, which Sisi announced in July 2013 following the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Mursi by the military, after mass protests against his rule.
So far, several parties have announced their intentions to not participate in the elections, including al-Dostour party, Strong Egypt party and the Popular Current party.
