McCain warns Egypt over US aid workers

WASHINGTON — Former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain plans to lead a delegation to Egypt to resolve the detention there of at least six American aid workers.

The captives, who include Sam LaHood, son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, are employees of nongovernmental organizations and among 19 Americans facing charges in an investigation over foreign funding, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The other 13 are currently outside Egypt and listed on the charge sheet as “fugitives.”

Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) said if the Americans were not allowed to leave, he planned to go to Cairo next week, leading a senatorial delegation that includes Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC).

He also said he had been stood up Monday by a group of Egyptian generals visiting Washington, and he suspected it was because “they thought it would not be a pleasant meeting.”

The Journal reported from Cairo that Egypt’s Judicial Ministry said 43 NGO employees would be charged with establishing organizations without licenses and receiving and spending foreign funds without government permission.

If convicted, the workers could face financial penalties and up to five years in prison.