Egyptian officials say 43 NGO workers, including 19 Americans, have been referred to trial before a criminal court for allegedly being involved in banned activity and illegally receiving foreign funds. The decision Sunday by investigating judges is likely to further sour relations between Egypt's military rulers and the United States, the Arab nation's chief western backer for more than 30 years. Egypt's foreign minister insisted Sunday that the government can't intervene in an investigation of foreign-funded pro-democracy organizations that is straining ties with the United States, but underlined Cairo's commitment to the relationship with Washington. “This a totally judicial issue right now,” Amr said. “We are doing our best to contain this but, well, if you are talking about democracy there is a separation between authorities — and we cannot actually exercise any influence on the investigating judges right now when it comes to the investigation.” Beside the 19 Americans, there are also five Serbs, two Germans and three non-Egyptian Arab nationals among the 43. The Americans include Sam LaHood, the head of the Egypt office of the Washington-based International Republican Institute and the son of US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. A date has yet to be set for the start of the trial.
