A few more details have emerged about the case of Hassan Shehata, whose arrest I wrote about last month in connection with the harassment of Egypt's tiny Shia minority.

AP reports that the prominent cleric and 12 others have been accused of receiving funds from Iran for promoting the "extremist" Shia doctrine in Egypt.

The Bikya Masr website says they have been formally charged with “using Friday sermons in promoting Shiite ideals, recruiting foreign elements, leading a banned group, receiving financial support from foreign governments, as well as possessing books defaming the Sunni sect.” Biya Masr continues:

Iran and Egypt have been battling in recent months, with Egypt arresting dozens of men linked with Hezbollah and accused Iran of meddling in domestic affairs. Tehran, in turn, has accused Cairo of helping to train and arm Jundallah – a Sunni Islamic group that has attacked Iranian police in demands for their rights.

Egypt denies any involvement in the “training” in Pakistan, and while rumours have circulated that Egyptians are among those being held by Tehran ...

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 7 September 2009.