A New York man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly performing as a overseas agent of the Egyptian authorities and covertly gathering details about the political opponents of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the US Division of Justice stated Thursday.
In keeping with court docket paperwork, Manhattan resident Pierre Girgis used his connections with native legislation enforcement to trace and acquire private details about critics of the Egyptian authorities who had been positioned in the US.
Prosecutors say Girgis, 39, additionally coordinated conferences between US and Egyptian legislation enforcement and organized for Egyptian officers to attend US-based police trainings. Girgis allegedly used an encrypted messaging app to debate his standing as an agent with an Egyptian official in 2018.
“The Division of Justice is not going to enable brokers of overseas governments to function in the US to pursue and gather details about critics of these governments,” stated Assistant Legal professional Basic for Nationwide Safety Matthew Olsen.
“Working on the path of the Egyptian authorities, Girgis agreed to focus on its perceived critics positioned in the US,” Olsen stated in a news release. “This indictment begins the method of holding him accountable.”
Girgis is charged with performing as an agent of a overseas authorities with out notifying the US Legal professional Basic, as is legally required, and conspiring to behave as a overseas agent. A federal district court docket choose will decide his sentence.
In a daily briefing name with reporters on Thursday, State Division spokesperson Ned Worth declined to remark particularly on the case however stated usually that the US “looking for to carry to account nations that might pursue dissidents.”
Sisi’s authorities has jailed tens of thousands of perceived authorities critics, together with US residents and their relations. The Washington-based Freedom Initiative and different advocacy teams have documented a sample of reprisals towards Egyptian authorities critics who’re dwelling in the US.
