Cairo: A panel of judges has recommended the dissolution of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt`s largest Islamic political organisation, after it was accused of committing illegal acts, including murder, terrorism and sabotage.
In its recommendation to the Administrative Court of the State Council, the panel yesterday said the Brotherhood has operated in violation of law, bringing the group a step closer to face a ban, two months after the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi by the powerful military.
The Board of State Commissioners, an advisory body within the State Council, also recommended to shut down Brotherhood`s Cairo headquarters.
However, the recommendation is not binding to the court, which has postponed the case till November 5.
The court has also resumed considering a lawsuit filed by former MP Hamdy al-Fakharany requesting the Social Solidarity Ministry to halt a decision of announcing the Brotherhood as a civil association instead of a political association.
The lawsuit claimed that the Brotherhood was performing illegal acts, including murder, terrorism and sabotage following the June 30 protests against the Morsi government.
The lawsuit also stated that the group was not entitled to re-apply for a re-identification of its association, since it had become identified as a political party by the Revolutionary Command Council in 1995.
Since the July 3 ouster of Morsi, who hails from the Brotherhood, Egyptian authorities have intensified crackdown on the group. Several of its members are in detention and facing prosecution, many on charges of inciting violence.
The Brotherhood has been banned for most of its 85 years` in existence after it was formed in 1928 as a Pan-Islamic, religious, political, and social movement by Islamic scholar and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna.
The Brotherhood flourished as a major provider of social services to the poor through its widespread network and rose to the forefront of Egyptian politics after the 2011 popular uprising that forced longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak from power.
Following a number of court cases raising questions on its status and funding, the Brotherhood registered itself as a civil association in March this year.
The Brotherhood established the Freedom and Justice Party as its political wing, which allowed the group to maintain a public presence while keeping its original organisational structure as a more secretive association.
The plaintiff said the Brotherhood is practicing an act that should be limited to political parties as non-governmental organisation status entails disengagement from political activities, such as backing candidates or campaigning before elections.
The Social Solidarity Ministry has announced that it is considering dissolving the group, but interim Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawy said in press statements that the Egyptian administration has abandoned the decision.
PTI
