A New ‘Terror’ Ruling against the Muslim Brotherhood

A new judicial ruling officially enlisted Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood group as a “terrorist organization” and it was published in Egypt’s official newspaper.

According to Anadolu Agency, an official Egyptian newspaper published details of a new judicial ruling, issued on 14  April, stating that the group was mentioned in a list of terrorist entities and groups for a three-year period, in addition to 215 Egyptians accused of being members of the group.Abdel-Moneim Abdel-Maqsoud, head of the Brotherhood’s legal defense team, said, “We plan to appeal the decision to a higher court.”

In the same context, Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Talaat Fahmi reiterated the group’s “rejection” of the terrorist listing, in a statement posted online. MB spokesman said, “These oppressive decisions, which do not deserve the ink with which they are written, will not change anything on the ground.” He asked, “Who the terrorists are; the peaceful MB who have refused to take up arms and insist on the peaceful resistance which has cost them so much?” He also stressed that the authorities cannot prove the charges against his group. “The Muslim Brotherhood is struggling for a cause,” he said. “We reject the use of violence and strive for a peaceful revolution.”

In December 2013, six months after the ouster of Mohamed Morsi –Egypt’s first democratically elected president- the Egyptian government first listed the Brotherhood a “terrorist organization”.  At that time, the Muslim Brotherhood rejected the decision, saying it was devoted to strictly peaceful means of protest.

In February 2015, Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and 17 other high-ranking group members were included on the list which was a move appealed later in court.

Since the military coup in 2013, the Egyptian authorities have launched a massive crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood supporters and members as being the most well-organized political opposition to the military regime.  Many MB members were arrested, faced enforced disappearances and subjected to death in prisons out of torture and medical negligence.