Egypt seizes assets of over 1130 Brotherhood-linked NGOs

The Egyptian government announced confiscation of the assets of over 1130 non-government organizations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood group after designating the group as terrorist. "The government has blocked assets of more than 1130 non-government organizations linked the Muslim Brotherhood and appointed staff to supervise the learning in the 137 Brotherhood schools," Minister of Social Solidarity Ahmad Al-Borei said in a press conference to announce the government's decision to the declare the Brotherhood a terrorist organization. He added that the government will also form committee to supervise the financial affairs in the companies and firms owned by Brotherhood members. Al-Borei went on to say that "Any Muslim Brotherhood activity will be banned including protests." He revealed that police will be allowed to enter university campuses to deal with the Brotherhood activities and to protect facilities. He pointed out that the government will deal with Palestinian Hamas movement as an affiliate to the Muslim Brotherhood group. For his part, Minister of Higher Education Hossam Eissa said the cabinet declared the Brotherhood a terrorist group, making it subject to Article 86 of the Egyptian penal code, which defines terrorism and the penalties for engaging in it. "All of Egypt was horrified by the ugly crime committed by the Muslim Brotherhood on Tuesday morning, when it blew up the Daqhaleya police headquarters," Minister of Higher Education Hossam Eissa said in a press statement. "Members who continue to belong to this group following this declaration will be punished according to the law." He accused the Brotherhood group of being behind the violent attacks that rocked the country since the ouster of the former president Mohammed Morsi, a member of the group, on July 3. Eissa noted that anybody finances the group, promotes its ideas or participates in activities would be subject to penalties stated in anti-terror law. He pointed out that the government will contact Arab countries which have signed the anti-terror convention to put the group in their terror lists. The Brotherhood repeatedly denied any links to violence and specifically condemned the Mansoura bombing saying they have been and always will be peaceful activities.