The US senator of the Democratic party Bob Menendezalready facing bribery charges along with his wife, a case in which Egypt and Qatar have been involved, is now accused of obstructing an investigation of justice, reveals a document made public yesterday Tuesday.

The senator is now facing a total of 16 charges, notably for corruption, exercising undue influence in exchange for unfair consideration on behalf of Qatar and Egypt, as well as for allegedly acting as an “agent”, defending the interests of the Egyptian government.

When the case came to light, the senator was accused of receiving together with his wife from 2018 to 2022 bribes amounting to “hundreds of thousands of dollars”in cash and gold, in exchange for exerting his influence to “protect and enrich” three businessmen in New Jersey and support the Egyptian government.

The septuagenarian politician, who until now declares his innocence, he has no reactions to the prompts from his faction to resign. However, he resigned at the end of 2023 as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

The arraignment of the new charge in Manhattan federal court was recorded as one of three businessmen also facing prosecution he pleaded guilty in part of the indictment.

When contacted for comment by AFP, Mr Menendez did not immediately respond. The trial of the son of Cuban immigrants, a veteran of American politics, is expected to begin on May 6.