Local rights groups have expressed their "extreme denunciation" of the attack on Egypt's former top auditor as part of a pattern of retaliations against would-be presidential candidates.

Lawyers for Hisham Genena — a top campaign aide for now-arrested presidential hopeful former Gen. Sami Annan — say he suffered serious injuries to the face and leg during an apparent kidnapping attempt outside his suburban Cairo home Saturday. They said three men armed with knives tried to force him into one of their two cars when passers-by rushed to his rescue and a brawl ensued.

A statement Sunday by eight local right groups, including the prominent Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms and the anti-torture Nadim Center, says "revenge acts" have targeted anyone daring to challenge President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's second term bid.