Africa

Egypt designates Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist group

Former governing party accused of carrying out attack on police station that killed 16 people

A file photo dated April 2011 shows the then Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohammed Badie (3rd row, 3-left) standing amongst members of the group’s Shura Council as they pose for a group photo after their meeting in Cairo, Egypt. Egyptian state television reported today that the Egyptian government has labeled the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group. The government on has blamed the Muslim Brotherhood for an attack that targeted a regional police headquarters in northern Egypt which killed 15 people and injured more than 130. Photograph: EPA/Khaled Elfiqi

Wed Dec 25 2013 - 17:16

The Egyptian government formally designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation today, accusing it of carrying out a suicide bomb attack on a police station that killed 16 people.

The move gives the authorities the power to charge any member of deposed President Mohamed Morsi’s movement with membership of a terrorist organisation, marking an escalation in the army-backed government’s crackdown on the group.

Following yesterday’s attack, Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi described the Brotherhood as a terrorist group, though today’s move formalises the step.

"All of Egypt. was terrified by the ugly crime that the Muslim Brotherhood group committed by blowing up the building of the Dakahlyia security directorate," an emailed statement from the cabinet office said.

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“The cabinet decided to declare the Muslim Brotherhood group a terrorist organisation.”

The Brotherhood condemned the bomb attack, responsibility for which was claimed by a group called Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis.

Reuters

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