Egyptian NGO Nazra for Feminist Studies is being investigated for illegally receiving foreign funding in a case that started five years ago, with three staff being summoned for questioning by the prosecution, Nazra said in a statement Sunday.

Nazra for Feminist Studies, a registered association, is accused in case No 173/2011.

Also being investigated in the case are renowned rights activists Hossam Bahgat, a journalist and founder in 2004 of the Egyptian Initiative for Personnel Rights (EIPR), and Gamal Eid, a lawyer and founder, also in 2004, of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI).

“The investigation of Nazra comes within the frame of taking escalating steps the state started gradually a long time ago,” the Nazra’s statement read.

It added that the state’s “steps were further escalated recently to close public space by conducting a crackdown on independent civil society organisations.”

No official charges have been directed in the case. The three Nazra staff will have to appear in front of the prosecution for interrogation 22 March.

Last week, a judicial committee froze the assets of Bahgat and Eid, along with Eid’s wife and daughter, who is a minor.

A court is currently looking into the asset freeze decision against both Bahgat and Eid.