Police forces arrested six alleged “terrorist cells” over various incidents of bomb blasts in electricity towers, the Ministry of Interior announced. The suspects are allegedly members of the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
In a Saturday statement, the ministry said that the cells included an overall number of 40 suspects who are accused of “targeting electricity towers and transformers, assaulting security and judiciary personnel, and sabotaging public transportation.”
The ministry explained the increase in such sabotage operations saying that “as the Muslim Brotherhood organisation got weaker in its ability to mobilise the masses, they are resorting to these acts.”
The suspects had inside contacts with workers, “affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood”, inside electricity stations in different governorates, said the ministry. “This gave the suspects access to confidential information.”
The ministry added that several bomb making materials were found. Investigations revealed that such bombs were used to stage other explosions and acts of sabotage in different parts of the country.
Lately electricity substations, towers and circuits have been subject to bombings and sabotage by assailants. The country is already suffering crucial problems in its energy distribution, causing frequent blackouts.
