Egypt to decide soon on dissolving Brotherhood NGO

Hundreds of Muslim Brotherhood members demonstrate in Cairo on September 3, 2013. Egypt is expected to announce soon whether or not to dissolve an NGO linked to the Muslim Brotherhood amid allegations it operates as a front for the Islamist group. (AFP/File)

CAIRO, Qahirah (AFP) – Egypt is expected to announce soon whether or not to dissolve an NGO linked to the Muslim Brotherhood amid allegations it operates as a front for the Islamist group.

On August 14, the authorities launched a fierce crackdown on the Brotherhood following the army's July 3 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who hails from the group.

Top Brotherhood leaders, including its supreme guide, have been arrested, effectively decapitating the movement and disrupting its organisation.

"The decision will be announced in a few days," said Hani Mhana, spokesman for the ministry of social security which has received complaints about the NGO's operations.

However, a media adviser to the cabinet said no decision has yet been taken on the issue.

"The government has not taken any decision," Sherif Shawky said.

Mhana said the NGO has been accused of indulging in several illegal activities.

"The Egyptian authorities are accusing the Muslim Brotherhood NGO of engaging in violent actions, using the headquarters (of the Muslim Brotherhood) for political activities and storing weapons in it and firing on protesters," Mhana said.

He said the authorities had given the NGO three chances to explain its position.

"But there was no response," he said.

Social Solidarity Minister Ahmed Hassan el-Boraie declined to comment to AFP, saying only: "Everything will be clarified at a press conference this week."

The ministry's legal adviser Mohammed el-Demerdash said that "all discussions about the dissolution concern the NGO and not the group. The group has no legal status to be dissolved."

The NGO was founded and registered in March under Morsi's presidency.