The Kuwaiti Al Jareeda newspaper Kuwaiti on Tuesday quoted Egyptian security services as saying that an Iranian spy cell was seized. According to the report, the members of this cell worked on gathering information on investment and tourism activities in Egypt. The cell consisted of three Egyptians who are detained as well as a citizen from one of the Gulf states and an Iranian citizen, who is on the run.
However, a source within the office of Egypt's Attorney General denied report.
According to the Kuwaiti newspaper, the four arrests were made last Thursday. The suspects carried tourist maps of the Sinai Peninsula, three modern communications equipment, US$ 120,000, a collection of books in Persian and a laptop.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Egyptian suspects were tasked to prepare reports on tourist groups in Egypt, including their nationalities, relations between Egyptian companies and European firms, and other information about popular tourist sites and details pertaining to tourism investment in Egypt. They are suspected of consistently sending information to the Iranian member of the cell.
The suspects deny the charges, saying they were looking to establish tourism projects in Egypt with Iranian partners.
