Scores of Egypt public figures defend convicted library head

CAIRO – Scores of Egyptian former ministers, state officials and diplomats on Wednesday rallied in defence of the former head of the Library of Alexandria who was sentenced earlier this month to three years in prison on charges of squandering public funds.

Over 150 signatories expressed support for Ismail Serrag Eddin, founding director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in a joint statement, saying that they value his work for the library.

It’s unclear what — beyond a public show of support — the statement seeks to accomplish.

Among the signatories was former Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa and Africa’s nominee for UNESCO, Moushira Khattab.

Eddin was accused by library employees of wasting 20 million Egyptian pounds, about $1.12 million, by paying hefty salaries to top advisers and privately travelling abroad at the library’s expense.

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This story has been corrected to show that 20 million Egyptian pounds is about $1.12 million.