Egypt’s public prosecutor resigns

After his predecessor, Abdel Maguid Mahmoud, was removed, Talaat Ibrahim was appointed public prosecutor of Egypt by President Mohammed Morsi. His appointment caused significant outrage within the rest of the Egyptian judiciary. Judicial officials claimed it compromised the independence of their institution and insisted the Supreme Judicial Council should have been the one to appoint a new prosecutor. Judges and officials demonstrated outside Ibrahim’s office, demanding that he step down from his new position. Today, Ibrahim did just that. He turned in his letter of resignation, citing his wish to “return to his work in the judicial system,” as his primary motivation. His resignation is scheduled to be presented before the Council next Sunday, a day after a final round of voting on a constitutional referendum.