Egypt releases 13 Islamists
Egypt, Judicial, 7/18/1998

Egypt released 13 Muslim Brotherhood members today, according to a Voice of America report.

ArabicNews.com was informed yesterday that Egyptian security sources said Egypt plans to release some 13 officials from the banned "Muslim Brotherhood" group, after they spent three years in prison. They were convicted before a military court of taking part in a banned group planning to topple the regime and establish an extremist Islamic state.

In January 1995, the Egyptian police arrested tens of Muslim Brotherhood officials. These included high-ranking trade unionists, physicians, engineers and lawyers, who were all tried before military courts. Most of them received sentences of three to five years in prison, a matter which was then described by observers as a government tolerance with the activities of the banned group.

In a statement to the Lebanese daily al-Nahar, the lawyer for the Islamic groups, Muntasir al-Zayyat, noted "a new policy pursued by the Ministry of the Interior in Egypt since he assumed power."

The lawyer added that since November 1997 more than 2,000 members of Islamic groups were released, mainly those who had completed their sentences.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian demonstrations against Israeli practices in Palestine   (5/16/1998)
  Egypt releases five Islamists   (4/17/1998)
  Egypt arrests group with plans to blow up Israeli and U.S. embassies   (2/27/1998)

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