CAIRO — Egyptian prosecutors intend to investigate an ultraconservative lawmaker whom police say was caught in his car “violating public decency” with a woman, the state news agency reported.
He denies the allegation and Islamists say the case is aimed at defaming them ahead of upcoming presidential runoff elections.
The incident, widely reported in local media, comes at a crucial time for Islamists rallying behind Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi, who is set to face former regime figure and ex-military man Ahmed Shafiq in a June 16-17 vote.
The allegations are especially controversial for ultraconservative Salafi Muslims, who advocate a strict interpretation of Islam and the segregation of unrelated men and women.
The accused lawmaker and sheikh, Ali Wanees, ran for parliament on a coalition led by the Salafi-led Nour Party, which controls 25 percent of parliament. Salafi leaders are backing Wanees, calling the police report “fraudulent.” He could not be immediately reached for comment.
