cairo former egyptian prime minister ahmed shafik return home unite arab emirates mysterious circumstances announce bid egypt presidency tell reuters monday fine prevent say much reuters reporter approach shafik marriott hotel cairo suburb accompany men civilian clothe refuse let talk quickly send reporter away fine thank god reply ask three men shout reporter stop talk okay leave shafik tell reporter reuters unable establish identity three men former air force chief government minister tell private cairo television station sunday still consider contest next year election although shafik less categorical previous declaration intent today country think free deliberate issue tell tv channel dream chance investigate see exactly need ... feel logical choice egyptian president abdel fattah al-sisi critics consider 76-year-old shafik strong potential challenger incumbent widely expect run second term next year saturday shafik family say take home emirates deport back egypt say lose contact late sunday sunday interview dismiss report kidnap chance prepare house think go one hotels surprise suddenly car take one nice hotels area say talk kidnap requirements kidnap shafik lawyer meet sunday hotel say good health whether able leave hotel source hotel say shafik reservation make egypt arm force ask room number contact announce intention run president former aviation minister oust president hosni mubarak late prime minister egypt 2011 revolt begin receive indications support cairo streets pro-state media quickly paint corrupt old regime hand tie ban muslim brotherhood interior ministry official say criminal charge pending shafik order deport uae detain cairo upon arrival general intelligence official national security official hotel say shafik entirely free without give detail explanation reuters witness airport source say shafik accompany convoy egyptian authorities arrival cairo sisi ally uae saudi arabia supporters say key egypt stability critics say erode freedoms gain 2011 uprise topple mubarak jail hundreds dissidents sisi back gulf state present bulwark islamist militants since army commander lead overthrow 2013 former president mohamed mursi ban muslim brotherhood four decades military shafik tout military experience one strengths 2012 election narrowly lose mursi shafik flee uae escape corruption charge june 2012. dismiss charge politically motivate take airport watchlists last year sisi yet announce intentions election supporters dismiss criticism right abuse say measure need security face islamist insurgency kill hundreds police soldier government struggle crush insurgency north sinai region enact painful austerity reform last year critics say erode popularity former egypt premier say 's 'fine still mull election bid