Egyptian ex-MP planning presidential bid says relatives arrested

FILE PHOTO: Ahmed Eltantawy, a former member of parliament and former leader of the leftist Karama party, talks during an interview with Reuters in Cairo, Egypt July 24, 2022. REUTERS/Sherif Fahmy

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian authorities have arrested two male relatives and three friends of former member of parliament Ahmed Eltantawy, he said on Thursday, shortly before his announced return home ahead of an intended presidential election bid.

Eltantawy confirmed to Reuters by phone from Beirut that the arrests occurred on Tuesday, declining to give further details. Spokespeople for Egypt's interior ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.