26 Dec 2013

Muslim Brotherhood declared a terrorist group

12:34 pm on 26 December 2013

The interim government in Egypt has declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group after a suicide bombing at a police station that killed 16 people.

Thousands of its supporters have been arrested since President Mohammed Morsi was deposed by the military on 3 July, a few days after the anniversary of his election in 2012.

The BBC reports Higher Education Minister Hossam Eissa read a cabinet statement announcing the move after a meeting on Wednesday.

"The Cabinet has declared the Muslim Brotherhood group and its organisation as a terrorist organisation," he said.

He added that the implications of the declaration were that those who belonged to the group, financed it or promoted its activities would face punishment.

Founded in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood was previously banned in 1954. The Brotherhood also has a political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party, which was set up in 2011 after the uprising that forced President Hosni Mubarak from power.

The BBC reports the Brotherhood has denied being responsible for the bombing on Tuesday. A group linked to al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility.