Egypt asks U.S. to freeze Mubarak assets

CAIRO, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Egypt has asked the United States to freeze assets of about 100 officials connected to the ousted regime on charges of corruption, profiteering and power abuse.

"Our embassy in Washington has received several requests concerning from the Egyptian judicial authorities asking for support and assistance from legal services of the United States to freeze any assets which belong to Mubarak, his family and some of the symbols of the former regime," said Sameh Shoukri, Egypt's ambassador to the United States.

A decision to freeze assets of deposed President Hosni Mubarak's family and his associates was issued Oct. 16 by Egypt's Illicit Gains Authority, Ahram Online and Middle East News Agency reported Friday.

The decision came after Switzerland revealed Mubarak's two sons hid $340 million in Swiss banks.