Security forces apprehended a number of individuals allegedly linked to the Muslim Brotherhood over the past several days, according to Ministry of Interior spokesman Major Hani Abdul Latif.
Among these were six individuals who first came to the attention of the police via “a number of inflammatory Facebook pages” suggesting their involvement in subversive activities. After raiding their homes, security forces allegedly found explosives, grenades, handguns, ammunition, as well as “plans and maps of some important installations”.
The spokesman said security forces also uncovered “elements of the terrorist Brotherhood organisation” allegedly operating a cell inside Al-Azhar University. The individuals were based in a house in the Moqattam area, where security forces allegedly found firearms, ammunition, and “a large amount of ammonium nitrate and TNT”. They also reportedly found tools and other materials used to manufacture homemade bombs.
The interior ministry also obtained information that exposed “Brotherhood elements” in the zakat committee of the Rahman Mosque, in the Boulaq Dakror district in the Giza governorate. The individuals were allegedly employing zakat funds to “foment chaos and violence in the country”, according to the statement.
More specifically, the statement said the individuals in question encouraged citizens to stage demonstrations and “incite riots in Cairo University”. Zakat funds were also allegedly employed to provide “the necessary support for the purchase of materials and tools used in the preparation of explosive devices”.
The individuals who stand accused in connection with these allegations include three Cairo University professors, several students, and “criminal elements and rioters” who sought to “disable the study process through the use of weapons and fireworks”, said the statement.
