Why Has Ikhwan Been Declared ‘A Terror Organization’?

The declaration of Muslim Brotherhood, or Ikhwan, as a “terror organization” has been accepted as one of the most radical decisions taken since the overthrow of the President Mohammed Morsi on July 3, 2013.

Egypt’s interim government declared the Muslim Brotherhood community “a terror organization” following a bomb attack against the Police Department in Dakahlia.

It has been foreseen that the government aims to strengthen the hands of the Interior Ministry in advance of the referendum, parliamentary and presidential elections. With this, the government plans to reduce Ikhwan’s influence on the Egyptian politics.

The declaration of Ikhwan a terror organization means that the Ikhwan members and those who participate in the activities of the group, in the organization, and promote the group verbally or in writing will be labeled terrorists and face punishment. Ikhwan members and those who join Ikhwan after this declaration will be accused in the same fashion.

As the requirement of the Egyptian Penal Code, terrorists are subject to capital punishment or penal servitude. Similarly, being the administrator of a terrorist group requires death penalty according the Egyptian laws. Therefore, the Muslim Brotherhood administrators such as Mohammed Badie and Khairat Shater may face death penalty.

If the Ikhwan administrators do not leave or break ties with the organization despite the declaration of “terror organization,” they may be charged with “being the administrator of a terror organization” and put to death.

Ordinary activists who participate in protests organized by Ikhwan will face at least a five-year imprisonment. Interventions in the said protests will be in the frame of “fight with terror” not of the “protest law”.

EFFORTS TO BLAME IKHWAN FOR THE ATTACK

On the other side, there are efforts to break Ikhwan’s connections in the Arab countries. To this end, the countries that signed the “cooperation in the fight with terror” agreement in the Arab League in 1998 will be informed that Ikhwan has been put on the terror list and asked to take action accordingly.

Some of the administrators and young members of the Muslim Brotherhood had gone to Qatar following the intervention in the Rabiatul Adawiyyah and Nahda squares on August 14, 2013, and Qatar is among the countries that signed this agreement.

The Deputy Prime Minister Hossam Issa, after publicly announcing Ikhwan as a terror organization, issued a statement reading that the group organized a bomb attack against the Police Department in Dakahlia killing police officers and civilians; this means, the Muslim Brotherhood Community does not know any other method but violence.

Issa’s accusing remarks drew attention although the Brotherhood condemned the bombing and the Sinai-based al Ansar Beit al Maqdis claimed the attack.

The Ansar Beit al Maqdis has been involved in numerous bomb attacks in Egypt during the last six months. The biggest attack they made was a bombing assassination attempt against the Interior Minister last September.

REACTIONS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS TO THE DECISION

The Ikhwan administration rejected the decision, announcing that they will continue their activities. Ibrahim Munir, secretary-general of the Muslim Brotherhood, said that the decision is null and void and the nation-wide protests will go on.
Ashraf Badriddin, one of the Freedom and Justice Party administrators, said all governments since the 1950s attempted to end the Muslim Brotherhood but failed.

The April 6 Youth Movement also reacted against the government’s decision. The Movement issued a statement describing the said decision as to close the last door to save Egypt from chaos.

As one of the most critical actors of the June 30, 2013 process, the Tamarroud Movement welcomed the decision. The Movement announced in a statement that the decision is a good one though it is late and that “the Egyptian people will put terror away.”

The declaration of Ikhwan a terror organization is regarded as one of the most radical decisions that have been made since t

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