Former Egyptian prime minister cleared of corruption charges

Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Ahmed Shafiq, former prime minister and former commander of Eygpt's air force under ousted Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, was cleared of corruption charges on Thusrdday.

Shafiq had been accused of involvement in illegal land acquisitions. Those charges were brought after Shafiq lost his presidential bid last year to Mohamed Morsi in Egypt. Shafiq fled to the the United Arab Emirates after Morsi was elected president. Now that the charges have been dropped against Shafiq, his attorney said that "He's going return to Egypt soon" and build up his political power base.

Two sons of Mubarak and four retired generals were also acquitted of corruption charges on Thursday. Both the Mubarak sons and Shafiq face additional legal proceedings.

[Washington Post] [Los Angeles Times]