Egypt Declares Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Group

The move gives the regime more legal authority to suppress the group

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Ahmed Ashraf / Associated Press

Egyptian women chant slogans during the funeral of victims killed by an explosion at a police headquarters in the Egyptian city of Mansoura on Dec. 24, 2013

Egypt’s military-backed interim government called the Muslim Brother a terrorist group Wednesday in a move that gives the regime more legal authority to suppress the group.

Minister of Higher Education Hossam Eissa read the declaration following a cabinet meeting, the Associated Press reports.

“The Cabinet has declared the Muslim Brotherhood group and its organization as a terrorist organization,” the statement said.

Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, the party of which former President Mohamed Morsi is a member, have been staging protests since the leader was deposed by the military in July.

Eissa also said that anyone supporting the Muslim Brotherhood would be punished.

The government has accused the Brotherhood of carrying out militant attacks in Egypt. The group has repeatedly denied being responsible for any such incidents.

[AP]