Khaled Ali’s candidacy is a focal point for criticisms of the Sisi administration

Human rights lawyer Khaled Ali’s bid for the presidency continued to make the rounds in the foreign press, with the New York Times’ Declan Walsh saying his candidacy “could offer a focus for criticism of Mr. Sisi at a time when he is grappling with a sharp economic downturn and a jolting surge in violent attacks by Islamists linked to the Islamic State and Al Qaeda.” Ali’s appeal of his September conviction of public indecency, which commences today, will determine whether his candidacy will be valid, noted Walsh.