McCain Defends Indicted NGO Workers in Egypt

Sen. John McCain defended on Monday a group of non-governmental organization (NGO) employees, including Americans, facing prosecution in Egypt, where the Arizona Republican is discussing the dispute with the country's interim military leadership.

"As we follow the debate here in Egypt, we hear it said that these NGOs are violating Egyptian sovereignty and meddling in this country's internal affairs," McCain said during a press conference in Cairo, according to FOX News Channel. "Nothing could be further from the truth."

"Indeed, the majority of the people who work for these organizations here in Egypt are not foreigners, but Egyptians," he continued. "And their work -- which is done at the request of Egyptian democracy and civil society groups -- seeks to support these Egyptian partners in pushing for the rule of law, free elections, a free media, respect for the human rights of all people, and other core principles of a democratic society."

Egypt is currently prosecuting 43 NGO employees, including at 16 Americans, on charges of illegally distributing foreign funds and running unregistered organizations.

One of the Americans is Sam LaHood, the son of US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

If convicted of the charges, the NGO employees could face a financial penalty and up to five years in prison.

Washington has signaled that it may cut aid to Egypt over the NGO crackdown.

McCain indicated that he did not expect to personally negotiate an end to the dispute between the two allies during his visit.

He noted, however, that he is "confident that people of good faith -- in this country, our country, and many others -- can and will find an acceptable resolution to the present situation."

In his discussions with members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and others, McCain said the American delegation has "reaffirmed the support of the United States, and the Congress in particular, for the sovereignty and aspirations of the Egyptian people -- and conveyed our strong desire to cooperate, as partners and friends, with the new democratic government."

According to The Wall Street Journal, all of the indicted employees work for four organizations that receive at least part of their funding from the US government. The targeted groups include the International Republican Institute, National Democratic Institute, Freedom House and a Washington-based international advocacy organization for journalists.