Fugitive Egyptian businessman Hussein Salem has been released from a Spanish prison on 27 million euro bail. Salem was detained by Interpol yesterday in Spain Spanish Judge Pablo Rose ruled that Salem could be released on bail, set at 12 million euro for money laundering from other countries to Madrid and 15 million for other charges against him in Egyptian courts. Salem stood before courts twice on Friday before two different judges. One is considering his arrest by Interpol and the other for charges of money laundering. Salem's son Khaled Ismail was released on 6 million euro bail. He was arrested for aiding his father. Ali Efsen, a Tuskish national, was fined 18 million euro for aiding Salem. Spanish television reported that the Spanish judges agreed to release Salem on bail on account of his age and poor health. The Associated Press said that after the decision was made to release him, Salem was taken to the hospital for problems in his central nervous system. Both his defense lawyers refused to make statements to the press. Yesterday, Egypt's public prosecutor, Abdel Magid Mahmoud, filed the report of his arrest and the foreign ministry sent it to the Spanish authorities in preparation for extradition procedures. Adel el-Said, assistant Attorney General and spokesman for the Attorney General, said the file contained all the information pertaining to Salem's crimes and arrest as well the international and Egyptian laws he broke, including a Spanish law prohibiting dual nationality. Salem holds three passports.
