Egypt's general prosecutor Hisham Barakat on Monday ordered a media gag on a case in which police officers are accused of involvement in illegal trade of antiquities, the Ahram Arabic news website has reported.

Barakat explained that all news published about the case would "negatively affect" investigations.

"The prosecution urges all media to report accurate information," read a statement from the prosecution, which also stated that all citizens are guaranteed equality before the law.

A number of police officers and a member of Egypt's prosecution were arrested on Monday for being involved in the illegal trade of antiquities.

Reports of Ancient Egyptian artefacts being smuggled out of Egypt are common.

Just last week, up to 123 ancient Egyptian objects were flown back to Cairo, after they were seized in the United States.

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/129379.aspx