Topping coverage of Egypt in the international press this morning is human rights lawyer Khaled Ali announcement of his candidacy for the 2018 presidential elections. Ali, who was convicted for public indecency in September, is the first to officially announce his candidacy for presidency. The announcement itself was controversial, as he accused security forces raiding his offices a few days ago and ripped up printouts for yesterday’s press conference. The accusation was refuted by a high-level security source speaking to state news agency MENA.

The first hearing in Ali’s appeal of his conviction is tomorrow. As it stands, the conviction could see his candidacy declared void. The elections commission has yet to say when the window for nominations opens and has not set a date for the presidential poll, which President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has said could take place in March or April.

Tags: