The United States Department of State reiterated its stance against “politicised arrests” following the Tuesday detention of Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad.
“The Egyptian Government has a responsibility to protect all Egyptians and create an atmosphere that supports a process of political transition that is inclusive and has maximum participation from the Egyptian people,” said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki during a Tuesday press briefing.
Psaki said that the US Government’s position on the issue was being conveyed privately to Egyptian authorities, adding that “we remain in touch as we have been for months with many representatives in all parties from Egypt.”
El-Haddad was arrested in a Nasr City apartment on Tuesday along with former Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) MP Ahmed Diab and Guidance Bureau member Mohamed Abou Zeid.
The US Government has repeatedly criticised the arrests of Brotherhood leadership following former president Mohamed Morsi’s ouster. In August, the White House said the arrest of Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohamed Badie contradicted attempts to promote an “inclusive process.”
El-Haddad is the son of Essam El-Haddad, who was Morsi’s presidential advisor for foreign affairs. He was detained along with Morsi and the rest of his presidential team on 3 July and has not been released.
