This 'Slightly Used' President Was for Sale on eBay

Egypt's Abdel Fattah el-Sisi walked right into this one
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 24, 2016 11:00 PM CST
Updated Feb 25, 2016 12:11 AM CST
Egypt Reverses Its Stance on Downed Plane
In this Nov. 1, 2015, photo, Egyptian military troops approach a plane's tail at the wreckage of a passenger jet bound for St. Petersburg in Russia.   (Maxim Grigoriev/Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations via AP, File)

Two months ago, Egypt's chief investigator said there was no evidence that the October crash of a Russian passenger plane in Sinai was a terrorist act. Now, in what the New York Times frames as an "unexpected admission," a reversal. In a wide-ranging speech on Wednesday, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi referenced "those who downed the flight" while speaking on terrorism. "What were they hoping for? Just to hit tourism?" He added that their aim was also to damage relations, including those with Russia. The majority of the 224 people on the plane were Russian tourists.

But another part of Sisi's speech made headlines as well. While speaking of the country's financial straits, he had an idea for his people: Donate about 10 cents a day to the government. Indeed, "if it were possible for me to be sold, I would sell myself." And so in this world of boundless possibility, someone tried to make that happen. A political activist listed the "slightly used" Sisi on eBay (free shipping!), and the bidding hit $100,000 before the listing was taken down Wednesday afternoon, Mashable reports. (More Egypt stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X