Egypt arrests 11 Islamists for Facebook activity

Interior Ministry says suspects used social networking to plan attacks against civilians and to incite violence

By AP 30 January 2014, 6:29 pm

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Egyptians chant slogans as they attend a rally in support of Egypt's Defense Minister, Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Egypt’s Interior Ministry says it has arrested 11 Muslim Brotherhood members whom it accused of running Facebook pages inciting violence against the police.

It alleged the group used the social network site for “inciting violence, targeting citizens, making bombs and carrying threatening messages.” It said one member called for the formation of an Islamic army and two others circulated names and pictures of police officers.

Egyptian authorities have cracked down heavily on the Brotherhood since the July 3 overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi, who hailed from the group. But Thursday’s arrests were some of the first to target alleged Brotherhood members for Internet activity.

The Brotherhood has held non-stop protests since Morsi’s ouster. Meanwhile, a more radical Islamic militant group based in the Sinai has claimed attacks targeting police.