US said to withhold $85 million aid to Egypt because of political detentions

Two other sources familiar with the matter said the $85 million was being withheld and the decision on the other $235 million was expected soon."The administration rightly decided to withhold that first tranche - $85 million tied to the release of political prisoners - because there's just no question there has not been enough progress," Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, said on the Senate floor.

Rights groups have long accused Egypt of widespread human rights abuses under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government, including torture and enforced disappearances. For decades, the United States has given Egypt about $1.3 billion a year in foreign military financing to buy weapons systems and services from U.S. defense contractors. This aid is largely the result of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty.Under U.S. law, $85 million is contingent on Egypt "making clear and consistent progress in releasing political prisoners, providing detainees with due process of law, and preventing the intimidation and harassment of American citizens.

Last year, Washington allowed the full $75 million that was then contingent on progress on political detentions, citing progress including the release of about 500 people.

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