European Union lifts sanctions on Mubarak family

The European Union announced on Friday, the lifting of the sanctions it imposed in 2011 on 9 Egyptians, including members of the family of former President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, against the background of accusations of embezzlement of public money.

"The restrictions were adopted in 2011 and were specifically aimed at assisting the Egyptian authorities in recovering misappropriated state-owned assets," an EU statement said.

The statement added: "After the last review of the nine lists that are still in effect, the council concluded that the orders fulfilled their purpose."

The European Union froze the assets of prominent personalities, including Mubarak and his wife, two sons, and their wives.

The sanctions, which were reviewed annually, included an asset freeze in the European Union and a ban on financing those blacklisted by any citizen or entity in the European Union.