CAIRO — An Egyptian security official has said that four locals were arrested on suspicion of spying for Israel and plotting to kidnap of tourists to harm Egypt's economy.
The official revealed Sunday that the four suspects allegedly set up offices in Egypt, Britain, Israel, and the Gaza Strip to record officials' phone conversations and collect information about Japanese and Chinese tourists visiting the Sinai Peninsula.
The official said those detained were responsible for supplying Israeli officers with the information necessary to orchestrate the abductions of the tourists.
The suspects are facing charges of espionage and forming a terrorist cell.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
