Obama urged to review aid to Egypt after trial of Americans

US lawmakers have called on the White House to reconsider $1.5 billion in annual aid to Egypt after Cairo sentenced 43 NGO workers, including 16 Americans, to prison terms for allegedly trying to weaken the Egyptian government.

Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) called on Tuesday on the Obama administration to conduct a “comprehensive review” of the annual aid to Egypt and warned that the ruling would adversely affect US-Egypt relations.

“If left unchanged, this ruling would have significant negative implications on US-Egypt relations, and we urge the Obama Administration to condemn this conviction in the strongest possible terms,” the three Republicans said in a joint statement.

Secretary of State John Kerry also expressed concern about the trial, saying the decision is “politically-motivated.”

Republican Representative Frank Wolf issued a more serious threat, saying the US would pull the plug on the annual aid if Egypt did not change the decision.

“If this decision stands, not a penny more of US taxpayer money should go to the Muslim Brotherhood-led government in Cairo,” Wolf said.

The 16 Americans, including former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s son, were tried in absentia, as most had sought refuge at the US embassy in Cairo and left the country when the charges were first pressed against them during the military rule last year.

The court, held on Monday, also ordered the closure of the NGOs, including the US-based International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute.