Biden administration expected to release aid to Egypt despite human rights concerns

The Biden administration plans to release most of a controversial $300 million tranche of aid for Egypt, with less than half of it being temporarily held back and conditioned on meeting human rights conditions despite concerns about the country's record.

Egypt is due to receive $170 million outright while the remaining $130 million will be withheld and conditioned on Egypt dropping prosecutions and charges against human rights activists and organizations, a source and congressional aide briefed on the decision told CNN. Legislation requires that the full $300 million be withheld unless Egypt takes steps to "strengthen the rule of law, democratic institutions, and human rights in Egypt."

Instead, it is the $130 million portion that will now be conditioned on Egypt ending the prosecution and investigations of human rights groups and activists known as Case 173, as well as dropping charges against -- or releasing -- 16 individuals the US embassy in Cairo raised with the Egyptian government in June and has been closely tracking, the two people briefed said.