Unclosed files

Confronting terrorism continues to dominate the agenda of the Ministry of Interior

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In a press conference with Egyptian journalists following the sixth four-day meeting of interior ministers from countries neighbouring Iraq, held in the Red Sea Resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt's Minister of Interior Habib El-Adli said combating "terrorism" remained an ongoing file that "will not be closed". He also said keeping the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group under close surveillance remains a priority. On the Egyptian hackers suspected of involvement in a recent Internet "phishing" scheme that targeted US citizens and banks, El-Adli appeared determined that they would be questioned and, if necessary, tried at home.

Asked about the Ministry of Interior's position should the Brotherhood take part in the upcoming 2010 Parliamentary elections, as it has said it will, El-Adli responded: "If [the Brotherhood] are preparing for the upcoming parliamentary elections let them, we are following. The Brotherhood can no longer claim they work for the people's benefit, nor in the name of Islam. After being in parliament [through their independent candidates] for almost a decade and failing to achieve any gains [for the public] Egyptians now know for whose benefit the Brotherhood works."

As for the latest spate of arrests among the group's different ranks, El-Adli insisted the detainees were caught in "unlawful, secret" meetings along with incriminating documents relating to their outlawed activities. "It is the role of the Interior Ministry to clamp down on any unlawful or illegal act," he continued.

Tension has been growing between some comrades of the Brotherhood from the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas and the Egyptian authorities and in recent months Egypt has accused some Hamas members of "illegal entry". Scores have been arrested, including Youssef Abu Zahri, the brother of Sami Abu Zahri, spokesperson of the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas. Youssef subsequently died while in detention.

Some Hamas leaders have claimed Youssef died while being tortured, allegations El-Adli vehemently denied. According to El-Adli, the suspect suffered from various health problems which, following the arrest, deteriorated badly, to the point where prison doctors could not save his life. He pointed out that the case had been examined by the general prosecution which referred the body to a forensic examination that concluded death was caused by underlying health problems.

"Why would we torture him?" El-Adli exclaimed. "This is a man who committed an obvious crime [illegal entry] and confessed. What would torturing him add and what more could he say?"

Questioned about Hamas claims that hundreds of Palestinians are detained in its prisons, El-Adli retorted that "the Ministry of Interior only arrests outlaws."

"Those who want to know the number of Palestinian detainees should review the files of people who entered Egypt illegally and/or committed crimes on its soil."

On terrorism El-Adli said: "It is a file that will not be closed."

Terrorism has no end, explained the minister, and like other criminals terrorists are coopting technology to serve their schemes.

"Combating terrorism requires regional, as well as international, cooperation, especially after realising that terrorism is not restricted to any particular religion, sect, race or country. Even those countries that have not [yet] suffered the horrors of terrorism need to cooperate in order to tighten the noose around this crime, circle it and finish it up."

Asked about the Egyptian hackers currently being questioned in connection with an Internet "phishing" scheme that targeted US citizens and banks, El-Adli insisted they would not be handed over to any other country.

"Egypt will not hand over any Egyptian citizen to any country. We are cooperating with the concerned parties and honestly exchanging information with those that exchange information honestly with us," he said.

Human rights groups regularly criticise Egypt for its record on human rights and freedom, unfairly, El-Adli says. The Ministry of Interior, he said, is perfectly happy to respond to such organisations but will "only deal with genuine groups not those pretending to be one."

He then explained that respect of human rights was an "inseparable" component of ministry policy and was included in the Police Academy's curriculum.