Egypt makes Muslim Brotherhood’s terrorist listing permanent

Egypt has permanently designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, replacing its earlier temporary listing. This decision alters the legal basis and duration of the group's listing, rather than imposing a new ban. The prosecutors' office announced the change on Sunday, following a temporary listing ordered in December 2022.

The move incorporates the Muslim Brotherhood into Egypt's 2015 law governing terrorist entities and individuals. The listing bans the group's activities, meetings, and fund-raising, closes its premises, and freezes its assets. Additionally, three men affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood were permanently added to a separate list of individual terrorists, facing restrictions such as travel bans, asset freezes, and limitations on public office.

The designation of an organization and individuals are distinct legal measures, with the Brotherhood's listing not automatically extending to all associated individuals. The notice cites a Cairo Criminal Court judgment from May 2023 and a ruling by the Court of Cassation in April this year. The decision took effect upon publication in the government's legal gazette on November 8.

The US Treasury designated the Egyptian and Jordanian branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as Specially Designated Global Terrorists in January, accusing them of providing material support to Hamas. This further freezes their US assets and generally prohibits US citizens and companies from dealing with them.