FORMER EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT Hosni Mubarak and his two sons are to face questioning from prosecutors about their alleged embezzlement of public funds.

Al-Jazeera reports that Mubarak, 82, and his sons Gamal and Alaa have been summoned to answer questions as part of an investigation into the suspected misappropriation of national funds.

Among the others being reined in by prosecutors are Ahmed Nazif, the country’s former prime minister whose resignation was demanded by Mubarak when popular uprisings began in the country in January.

Nazif was arrested yesterday in connection with the inquiries and has been jailed pending further actions.

Mubarak yesterday issued his first public statement since being ousted, insisting that he would “uphold all my legal rights to defend my reputation as well as that of my family.”

He added:

I have been, and still am, pained by what what I and my family are facing from fraudulent campaigns and unfounded allegations that seek to harm my reputation, my integrity and my military and political record.

Mubarak asserted that inspection of his family’s bank accounts would disprove any suspicions of embezzlement, and remained adamant that he did not own any foreign property.

State news agency Mena quoted Egypt’s justice minister Mahmoud al-Guindy in saying that Mubarak could assist the investigation by giving the judiciary power of attorney.

Such a move would expedite efforts to make a full inventory of the Mubarak family’s assets, al-Guindy said.

The Wall Street Journal describes the moves as a sign that the youth-led uprising still retains lingering power, with the moves to question the country’s former leadership a sign that its power had extended into winning political concessions from the interim military leadership.