Report: Egypt to put Transportation Secretary LaHood’s son on trial

Egypt has decided to put Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s son on trial for his work promoting democracy and free elections in the country, the Associated Press is reporting from Cairo.

LaHood, the head of the Washington-based International Republican Institute’s programs in Egypt, is one of 43 nonprofit workers – including 19 Americans – who are set to go on trial and have been banned from leaving the country. The decision is certain to further damage relations between the U.S. and a key Middle Eastern ally that was expected to receive $1.3 billion in military aid from Washington this year.

{mosads}Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Saturday that the funding could be pulled if Egypt doesn’t resolve the situation.

“We are very clear that there are problems that arise from this situation that can impact all the rest of our relationship in Egypt,” Clinton told reporters during a visit to Germany. “We don’t want that.”

LaHood and his colleagues are accused of receiving foreign funding and not registering with the Egyptian government, a requirement that was not enforced under former President Hosni Mubarak. Since last year’s revolutions however Egypt, like other countries in the area, has cracked down on protests and accused foreigners of inciting unrest.