U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s son is among a group of US citizens who have been barred from leaving Egypt after government forces raided the offices of groups who monitored the recent parliamentary election, Politico reported.

Sam LaHood, the director of the Egyptian program for the International Republican Institute (IRI), attempted to board a plane out of Cairo on Saturday, but was told by officials he was on a “no-fly list.”

Secretary LaHood is scheduled to appear in Tampa Friday at a press conference to talk about the Crosstown Connector. Thursday, his representatives said he had no comment yet on the situation in Egypt, and that he would still come Tampa Friday.

Lorne Craner, the president of the IRI—a nongovernmental organization operating throughout the world that has close ties to GOP congressional leadership—said Wednesday that LaHood and at least four other employees had not been given a reason as to why they were not allowed to leave.

“What we have heard is that they are amongst those the [Egyptian] government, the judges, who have been charged with prosecuting the case against IRI, have decided should not be allowed to leave the country,” Craner told Politico.

The military rulers who assumed power have blamed “foreign elements” for the recent unrest and cracked down on rights groups, further straining ties with their U.S. ally. The U.S. Congress has passed legislation linking the continuation of American aid to pro-democratic reforms, including allowing non-governmental organizations to operate.

“I asked her why I was denied, she said she didn’t know. I asked how to fix it, and she said she didn’t know,” said LaHood, 36. An hour later, a man gave him back his passport and escorted him to the curb, LaHood said. “It’s a dark signal for groups who are interested in doing this kind of work.”

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/lahood-egypt-138147093.html#ixzz1kgQg8wX2

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/international/us-citizens-detained-in-egypt-01262012