Egypt arrests 69 more members of banned Muslim Brotherhood

Cairo (ANTARA News) - Egyptian authorities on Wednesday arrested 69 members of the banned opposition Muslim Brotherhood in a series of raids around the country, security sources said.

The members were arrested at their homes in Cairo, Giza, Souhag, Qaliobiya, Assyout and Menya, on charges of belonging to an outlawed group, opposing the government and distributing religious leaflets, according to the sources.

The government recently stepped up its crackdown on the group ahead of local elections due to take place on April 6. The arrests brings to more than 155 the number of Muslim Brotherhood members detained over the past week.

The group has been banned since 1954 but has re-emerged in the past 30 years as Egypt`s strongest and best organized political movement.

It seeks an enforcement of the Islamic or sharia law as opposed to the prevalent mix of secular and religious law, occupies one fifth of parliament`s seats. Its members have been elected to parliament as independents, DPA reported.(*) END

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