U.S. vows to cut $1.5B in aid to Egypt over trials

CAIRO – Members of Egypt's newly elected government refused to back off Monday from charges that 19 Americans and several other foreigners are aiding violent protests and will be tried.

Meanwhile, the United States on Monday threatened to cut off $1.5 billion in annual aid to Egypt for what it called an illegitimate crackdown on foreign groups that promote democracy known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs.

"Whoever is operating legally should be fine, said Sobhy Saleh, whose Freedom and Justice Party is the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood that recently won the majority of seats in the Egyptian parliament. "Whether they are Islamic or not, any NGO should follow the law."

Saleh said Egypt will not accept any violations of Egyptian law or interference of Egypt sovereignty. Hisham Abo Alnasr, a member of the high council of Egypt's hard-line al-Nour Party, said that based on documents found during the investigation the Am

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-02-06/americans-egypt-prosecution/52990194/1