Senior official of Mubarak’s ruling National Democratic Party, NDP, Safwat el-Sherif, attend a press conference at the party's headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 1, 2010. (Photo: AP)
Former Secretary General of Mubarak's era now-defunct National Democratic Party (NDP), Safwat El-Sherif was released on Tuesday on LE50,000 ($8,200) bail.
El-Sherif, who was also the upper house parliament speaker, is accused of illegally obtaining some LE300 million (roughly $49.2 million) during his long Mubarak-era political career.
Facing the same charges with El-Sherif are his two sons, Ashraf and Ihab.
Subsequent investigations revealed that El-Sherif had obtained his considerable wealth by abusing his political status while serving as information minister, speaker of the Shura Council (the upper, consultative house of parliament) and head of Egypt's Radio and Television Union under ousted president Mubarak.
In October El-Sherif along with 25 defendants including a number members of Mubarak's now defunct NDP, Mohamed Abul-Enein, former parliament speaker Fathi Sorou and ex-minister of labour power Aisha Abdel-Hadi were acquitted in the "Battle of the Camel" case.
The "Battle of the Camel" took place on 2 February when plain-clothed assailants, some on horse and camelback, violently attacked a sit-in at the flashpoint square, leaving at least 21 protesters dead and hundreds injured.
El-Sherif was arrested on corruption charges, along with a number of other senior officials of the Mubarak regime in the wake of last year's January 25 Revolution.
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