Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Leader Arrested
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MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images(CAIRO) — The Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide, Mohammed Badie, was arrested overnight, according to security sources, as Egypt’s interim government continues its rampant crackdown on the group.
Badie, 70, was reportedly arrested in a residential apartment near Raba’a Al Adaweya in Cairo’s eastern Nasr City. More than 1,000 people were reportedly killed at Raba’a last Wednesday, when security forces dispersed a massive sit-in filled with supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.
Security forces tell ABC News that Nasr City residents tipped them off to Badie’s location Monday night. ABC News obtained a photograph of Badie flanked by two authorities after his arrest.
The Brotherhood announced Tuesday morning that Dr. Mahmoud Ezzat has been appointed acting general guide in Badie’s absence. Referred to as the Brotherhood’s “iron man,” Ezzat served as the deputy supreme guide under Badie.
A warrant for Badie’s arrest has been out for weeks, and he joins a slew of top Brotherhood officials already detained, mostly accused of inciting violence that led to the deaths of protesters.
Badie is expected to stand trial next month alongside Khairat el-Shater, the Brotherhood’s powerful deputy leader and chief financial backer, currently being held in Cairo’s Tora prison.
Earlier on Monday, the interim government extended the detention of Morsi, who has been held in an undisclosed location since the July 3 coup.
As the Brotherhood leadership disappears off the streets, the group’s ability to mobilize its supporters in the country’s capital has been called into doubt. Following the incident on Aug. 14 — the country’s bloodiest day in modern history — the Brotherhood announced seven days of protests for a “Week of Departure.” But so far, massive crowds have failed to manifest.
No protests were called on Monday and the usually hyper active Twitter feed of Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El Haddad fell silent.
Meanwhile, in related news, reports surfaced Monday night that the Obama administration has quietly suspended some aid to Egypt.
According to The Daily Beast, the U.S. made the move despite the fact that the military takeover of the country hasn’t been officially called a coup.
However, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told ABC News on Tuesday, “This story is not correct. We’re still in the same place on this that we were yesterday.”
Egypt, a key U.S. ally, receives more than a billion dollars in aid each year.
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