Egypt prosecutors order arrest of Muslim Brotherhood leader
CAIRO -- Egyptian prosecutors Wednesday ordered the arrest of Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie in an escalating crackdown on the Islamist organization as the new military-installed government prepares the troubled nation for elections in six months.
The move against Badie, who is wanted for inciting violence, will further provoke thousands of Brotherhood supporters camped in front of one of Cairo’s main mosques. Badie was reportedly arrested last week but appeared at a rally Friday, urging followers to protest until deposed President Mohamed Morsi is reinstated.
The military has moved swiftly to isolate the Brotherhood following last week’s coup. Arrest warrants have been issued for many of its prominent members. But after soldiers fired on an Islamist sit-in on Monday, killing at least 51 people, the Brotherhood called for a national uprising and has refused to submit to the new government.
State media reported that Badie is accused of allegedly inflaming political passions that led to clashes between soldiers and pro-Morsi demonstrators.
“God is greater than any traitor, greater than those who have betrayed Egypt,” Badie said Friday in reference to the army. “Millions of us will stay in the street and in public squares to protect Mohamed Morsi. We will carry him on our shoulders.”
The army takeover of the country has created an atmosphere that mirrors the rule of toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak, whose police state persecuted and arrested Brotherhood members for decades. Authorities say the clampdown is necessary to prevent Islamists from instigating widespread violence. The Brotherhood said the latest purge is an attempt to force it out of politics.
Morsi is believed to be in army custody. The whereabouts of other Brotherhood members are not known but many have appeared at the Rabaa al Adawiya mosque.
Human Rights Watch criticized the military’s actions, saying the army “promised that the political transition process would be inclusive, but these violations of basic political rights will mean the Muslim Brotherhood and others will be shut out of political life.”
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jeffrey.fleishman@latimes.com
Twitter: @JeffreyLAT
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