Egypt police raid U.S.-backed pro-democracy groups

CAIRO, (Reuters) – Egyptian prosecutors and  police raided offices of 17 pro-democracy and human rights  groups yesterday – drawing criticism from the United States  which hinted it could review its $1.3 billion in annual military  aid.
The official MENA news agency said the groups had been  searched in an investigation into foreign funding.

“The public prosecutor has searched 17 civil society  organisations, local and foreign, as part of the foreign funding  case,” MENA cited the prosecutor’s office as saying. “The search  is based on evidence showing violation of Egyptian laws  including not having permits.”

Among groups targeted were the local offices of the  U.S.-based International Republican Institute (IRI) and National  Democratic Institute (NDI), a security source and employees at  the organisations said.