The preliminary examinations of the body of economic researcher Ayman Hadhoud, which were conducted by the health ministry’s inspector and the police in March, no indications that there was no "criminal suspicion" behind his death, the Public Prosecution said on Monday in its first statement on the incident.

The prosecution said Hadhoud, 48, was arrested on 6 February after he was reported by a building guard in Zamalek, Cairo, for attempting to break into an apartment, adding that Hadhoud was displaying "erratic" behaviour at the time.

The prosecution attempted to question Hadhoud, but his speech was “incomprehensible,” and so he was referred to a psychiatric hospital, the statement said.

The prosecution said in its statement on Monday that it was notified on 5 March that Hadhoud died at Abbasiya Mental Health Hospital due to a sharp drop in blood pressure and cardiac arrest, and its examination of the body found no signs of visible injuries.

The prosecution added that two of Hadhoud’s brothers – Adel and Abu Bakr – have told investigators that their brother was "psychologically unstable" and that they do not believe his death was due to criminal action.

The public prosecution said it has summoned another Hadhoud’s brothers – Omar – to testify regarding multiple statements attributed to him on social media where "he claimed the existence of criminal suspicion."

Omar has not yet responded to the prosecution’s summons, the statement added.

The prosecution's statement came amid reports that Hadhoud was the victim of "forced disappearance", with his family reportedly saying it was notified about his death on 9 April, nearly one month after he died.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Interior issued a statement denying that Hadhoud had been "forcibly disappeared", saying he was arrested on 6 February 2022 after allegedly attempting to breaking into an apartment in Zamalek.

On Monday, the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) said that the ongoing investigation by the Public Prosecution into the death of the late economic researcher must cover “all concerns” about the “alleged forced disappearance of the deceased.”

Hadhoud, a prominent economic researcher, was co-founder and board member of the liberal Reform and Development Party. The party, which has 12 members in parliament, released a statement mourning the late economist on Sunday.