Egypt Brotherhood denies ‘terror’ charges

Cairo — A fugitive leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood is denying media allegations that his group is waging a “terror” campaign.
Mohammed el-Beltagy’s videotaped speech was aired by Al-Jazeera early yesterday. He says the accusations are “lies” and an attempt to turn a political crisis into a security problem.
He went into hiding earlier this month after authorities violently broke up protest encampments held by supporters of president Mohammed Morsi, ousted in a 3 July coup. Hundreds died in the crackdown, including el-Beltagy’s daughter.

In a backlash, Morsi supporters attacked police stations, government buildings and churches. Hundreds of Brotherhood leaders and Morsi supporters have been arrested, many accused of orchestrating violence.
Egypt’s media, almost uniformly anti-Brotherhood after the closure of Islamist TV stations, have described the crackdown as a “war on terror”. — AP.