Egypt arrests three Muslim Brotherhood spokesmen (ahead of Friday's massive countrywide protests)

[Turborama]

Source: Reuters

Egypt arrested three spokesmen of the Muslim Brotherhood and other members of the group overnight ahead of planned countrywide protests on Friday, their lawyer said.

"The police detained Dr. Essam El-Erian and Dr. Mohamed Mursi, and there were others also detained. Many people, it's hard to figure out the exact number," said lawyer Abdel-Moniem Abdel-Maksoud. "The reason is of course known: it's what is expected to happen tomorrow." El-Erian and Mursi are both prominent Brotherhood spokesmen. The lawyer later said a third spokesman, Hamdy Hassan, had also been arrested.

A security source confirmed that authorities had ordered a crackdown on the group overnight: "We have orders for security sweeps of the Brotherhood," the source told Reuters.

The Muslim Brotherhood is not behind the protests by youth angry at poor living standards and authoritarian rule, but many followers of the group are expected to join demonstrations on Friday after weekly prayers.

Read more: http://af.reuters.com/article/tunisiaNews/idAFLDE70R00E20110128

[Cognitive_Resonance]

1. Fuel to the fire. nt

[Recursion]

2. Stupid, stupid, stupid, Mubarak

The MB's luke-warmness to these protests was about the only thing you had going for you up until this point.

[SpookyCat]

3. Thank you Turborama for all these updates.

I have been following the news without comment but I wanted you to know I appreciate it.

My thoughts and my heart are with Egypt.

[Turborama]

6. You're most welcome, SpookyCat

And thank you for letting me know that you've found it useful, your feedback is really appreciated. :hi:

I share your sentiments, I got very emotional over that video I posted in the political videos forum and I reckon Friday's protest is going to be a real game changer.

[Turborama]

4. They're saying it's 8 senior leaders, now

- Egypt rounded up members of the Muslim Brotherhood including at least eight senior leaders of the group ahead of planned countrywide protests on Friday, a lawyer representing the detained men said.

Lawyer Abdel-Moniem Abdel-Maksoud said at least eight senior figures had been held in raids in the early hours of Friday, including spokesmen Essam El-Erian, Mohamed Mursi and Hamdy Hassan.
http://af.reuters.com/article/tunisiaNews/idAFLDE70R00E20110128

Al Jazeera English are saying 20 members in total: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201112804035404906.html

[EFerrari]

5. Pre-crimes as they haven't been involved in the protests so far.n/t

[Turborama]

7. Life imitating art. The pre-cogs are working hard in Egypt.

(FTWDK: Philip K. Dick's Minority Report reference)