Egypt Revolution 2013: Muslim Brotherhood Spiritual Leader Arrested as Country Remains in Turmoil
Just days after hundreds of people died in violent clashes in Egypt, the nation's police forces arrested the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Badie.
Badie's arrest on Tuesday came shortly after a court ordered the release of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Meanwhile, the other former president, Mohamed Morsi, remains detained on allegations of murder and spying. He was overthrown Jul. 3.
Badie is being charged with inciting murder and will remain incarcerated as he awaits trial later this month. The police have maintained a firm and bloody hand in a crackdown of the Muslim Brotherhood; the authorities raided sit-ins last week and the subsequent violence left at least 1,000 people dead. According to the Los Angeles Times, at least 900 Brotherhood members have been arrested in recent days. These members have been spread out across major cities and various areas around the embattled nation.
Egyptian television networks have shifted to support the government and have labeled the ongoing crisis as a fight against terrorism. The Brotherhood has held protests ever since Morsi was forced out of power.
As it stands, Abdel Fattah Sisi is leading the Egyptian military. The past few years have been tumultuous for Egyptians, dating back to when the Arab Spring arrived in Egypt in 2011. With leaders moving in and out of power, many people have been curious as to how the U.S. would respond. The news of Mubarak's release is said to complicate the way the U.S. stands in regards to the ongoing crisis. President Obama commented on the situation in Egypt a few days before the release.
"We've seen a more dangerous path taken," Obama said in a statement last week. "Through arbitrary arrests, a broad crackdown on Mr. Morsi's associations and supporters and now, tragically, violence that's taken the lives of hundreds of people and wounded thousands more."
"The United States strongly condemns the steps that have been taken by Egypt's interim government and security forces," he said.