Ahmed Shafiq placed on Egypt watch list

Former Egyptian Prime Minister and presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq was placed on an airport watch list by Egyptian authorities on Wednesday, meaning that his return could lead to his arrest, according to the BBC.

Shafiq left for the United Arab Emirates shortly after losing the presidential election to Mohammed Morsi in June, though his supporters deny he is on the run.

Shafiq served as ousted President Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister and is now accused of corruption, according to Reuters. Judge Osama el-Saeidy said Shafiq has been placed on a watch list at border points.

"The investigative judge decided to put General Ahmed Shafiq's name on the watch and travel ban lists based on investigations over his illegal allocation of 40,000 square meters of land… to Alaa and Gamal Mubarak," said Saeidy, according to Reuters.

More on GlobalPost: Mohamed Morsi vs. Egypt's Press

Mubarak's sons, Alaa and Gamal, are currently in prison facing corruption charges. Mubarak himself is serving a life sentence for the killing of protesters during the popular uprising that led to his downfall.

More on GlobalPost: Introducing General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Egypt's new military head

The Associated Press noted that Egyptian authorities also charged Safwat el-Sherif, who served as the minister of information for nearly two decades, with corruption. He was charged with illegal acquisition of villas, lands and apartments.

The BBC noted that acquittals of ministers accused of squandering public funds led to protests earlier this year.