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Egypt identifies suspects in deadly bombing

Arab World Materials 2 January 2014 17:44 (UTC +04:00)
Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim on Thursday said that a suicide car bombing that targeted a police headquarters last month was carried out by a militant Islamist, with involvement from the Muslim Brotherhood
Egypt identifies suspects in deadly bombing

Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim on Thursday said that a suicide car bombing that targeted a police headquarters last month was carried out by a militant Islamist, with involvement from the Muslim Brotherhood, dpa reported.

Ibrahim identified the bomber as Emam Marae, who allegedly belonged to Ansar Beit al-Maqdas, an al-Qaeda-inspired group based in Egypt's volatile Sinai Peninsula.

Sixteen people, including 14 policemen, were killed in the December 24 bombing in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura.

Ansar Beit al-Maqdas has already claimed responsibility for the attack.

Ibrahim said that seven other people, including a leading Brotherhood official's son, had been arrested for alleged involvement in the bombing.

The military-backed government has blamed the attack on the Brotherhood, and labelled it a terrorist group.

Under Egyptian law, terrorism charges carries the death penalty.

"Investigations have pointed to the involvement of Brotherhood elements in recent incidents of violence," Ibrahim told a televised press conference.

Ibrahim survived an assassination attempt in Cairo in September, which was claimed by Ansar Beit al-Maqdas.

Security forces and buildings have been the target of attacks since the army deposed president Mohammed Morsi of the Brotherhood in July.

Hundreds of Brotherhood supporters have since been killed in a security crackdown.

The Brotherhood has repeatedly denied any involvement in violence, accusing the government of oppression.

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