7 Sep 2013

Govt move against Muslim Brotherhood denied

10:45 am on 7 September 2013

The interim government in Egypt denies reports in state media that it has decided to dissolve the Muslim Brotherhood.

A spokesman for the ministry for social solidarity was quoted on Friday as saying it would revoke the group's non-governmental organisation status "within days".

But a prime ministerial aide told the BBC that Social Solidarity Minister Ahmed al-Borai had not issued any decision.

President Mohammed Morsi was ousted by the Army on 3 July and various leaders of the Brotherhood are under arrest..

The Muslim Brotherhood was formed 85 years ago. It was banned by Egypt's military rulers in 1954, but registered itself as an NGO in March.

An administrative court in Cairo is now reviewing the Brotherhood's NGO status.

The BBC reports NGOs are banned from engaging in politics or forming militia under a 2002 law.

The Brotherhood also has a legally registered political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party, which was set up in June 2011 after the uprising that forced President Hosni Mubarak from power.