An Egypt court on Monday ordered the Muslim Brotherhood to cease and desist all activities in the nation, and told authorities to seize the group’s funds.
“The court bans the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood organization and its non-governmental organization and all the activities that it participates in and any organization derived from it,” said the leading judge, Mohammed al-Sayed, in Reuters.
The ruling widens the schism in the country even further, as Muslim Brotherhood protesters seeking to reinstate their ousted leader, former President Mohammed Morsi, have clashed violently with government forces.
The court also ordered the government to freeze the Muslim Brotherhood’s assets, Reuters said.
Mr. Morsi was thrown from office by a military coup on July 3.
Political analysts say the court’s ruling is only going to exacerbate tensions and drive moderates in the country — especially the more youthful Islamists who were on the fence about which side to support — to join the Muslim Brotherhood and wage an underground war against the government.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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