Former Egyptian Premier Ahmed Shafiq. Photo: Press TV

Egypt's Justice Ministry on Tuesday referred former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq to the Cairo criminal court on charges of corruption and wasting public funds. The one-time presidential candidate, who was the last premier in the toppled regime of Hosni Mubarak, has fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Shafiq and his daughters, along with 10 other defendants, are being investigated on charges of illegally seizing public land for use by the Pilot Association that Shafiq headed. Admed Shafiq is a former Commander of the Air Force and Aviation Minister and was appointed Prime Minister in Mubarak’s government before Mubarak was overthrown in February, 2011. In last June’s presidential election, Shafiq was narrowly defeated by the current Egyptian President.