A delegation of Egyptian ministry officials visited London last Sunday in an attempt to press for the return of fugitive businessman Mamdouh Ismail to Egypt to face a re-trial for his culpability in the Al-Salam 98 ferry sinking disaster of 2006.

The delegation was composed of figures from the Egyptian interior and foreign ministries. Sources confirmed that the delegation went to London to demand the return of a number of former Egyptian officials who were involved in cases of corruption and criminal behaviour that have preoccupied public opinion. The sources stated that the United Kingdom has no limitations on delivering fugitives, after pledging to demand the Egyptian government to conduct a free and transparent trial for Ismail.

The Egyptian ferry Al-Salam 98 sunk in February 2006 on its way from Saudi-Arabia to Egypt, killing 1064 passengers.

On another note, sources added that British Ministry of Interior is currently assessing the possibility of responding to Egypt’s demands for the extradition of its former minister of finance, Youssef Boutros Ghaly, who has been sentenced, in absentia, to 30 years in prison.