Egyptian security arrested Ahmed Qadhafi al-Dam, former general coordinator of Egyptian-Libyan relations at his home in Zamalek, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Kamel Girgis, director of the International Cooperation Bureau under the auspices of the Public Prosecution, ordered he be detained for 30 days pending an investigation.
Reports show that police were unable to enter the premises during the morning arrest after Qadhafi al-Dam, along with two cousins, fired shots at the police.
Qadhafi al-Dam, a relative of Muammar Qadhafi who ruled Libya for four decades, was hiding in a room protected by amored gates.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a security source said, “Qadhafi al-Dam was requested by Interpol for trial on corruption charges in Libya after the downfall of the former regime.”
The source added that no injuries were reported and that fearing casualties, troops did not exchange fire.
Former Libyan Ambassador Ali Mahmoud was arrested in Sheikh Zayed without putting up resistance.
Authorities are also investigating Mohamed Mansour, chairman of the Libyan Production Shift Fund and another of Qadhafi's counsins.
Libya has called on Egypt to extradite figures affiliated to the Qadhafi regime, which was overthrown in 2011.
Earlier in March, Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan warned at a conference with his Egyptian counterpart Hesham Qandil against the damage that Libyan runaways could cause to Egypt.
Meanwhile, Ali Qazaf al-Dam, Ahmed's brother, described the arrest as “high treason” and claimed it was politically motivated.
Speaking to Al-Masry Al-Youm, he defended his brother by saying, “He didn’t commit any crime. He is not wanted for killing revolutionaries.”
He added that Egyptian police had actually rescued his brother from a failed kidnapping attempt carried out by Libyan officers.
Ali said his family is meeting on Tuesday to discuss the situation and claimed there are negotiations between the governments of both countries and his brother to settle certain financial matters.
Sources close to the family said Ahmed is waiving his Libyan citizenship, which would hinder the deportation process after he was granted asylum in Egypt two years ago.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
