Hours before the Muslim Brotherhood announces its candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Alexandria, security forces embarked on a wide and massive campaign, raiding a number of lslamist bookstores and a computer company owned by group members. Forces seized computers, documents, books and arrested the son of one of the MB leaders and 17 others.


MB lawyer, Khalaf Bayoumi, stressed that the campaign was a violation to private property pointing out that the action was a prelude to further measures expected to take place by security ahead of the elections. He added that this was a clear message from the regime in response to the Brotherhood's decision to participate in the parliamentary elections.


Dr Hamdy Hassan, spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood parliamentary bloc described the campaign as "an unconstitutional and illegitimate attempt by the regime to intimidate the people, and to hinder the opposition’s effors preparing for the elections." He added that the group would not be deterred and will continue to peacefully fight for its cause, and defend people’s rights to freely choose their representatives through ballot boxes.