The Brothers and the Interior Ministry
Issandr El AmraniAn interesting tidbit from the trial of Habib al-Adly, Mubarak's interior minister, from Ahram:
Essam El-Batawi, defence lawyer for former interior minister Habib El-Adly, continued laying out his case for his client’s innocence on Tuesday, claiming that Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood (MB) had planned in advance to participate in last year’s 28 January “Friday of Rage” demonstrations in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in coordination with the interior ministry, with the understanding that protests would remain peaceful in nature.
According to El-Batawi, meetings were held between Brotherhood members and representatives of the State Security apparatus in the run-up to 28 January.
This is entirely plausible and consistent with everything I've known about the Brothers over the last decade. Senior leaders were in constant contact with their State Security handlers. Is this damning for the MB? Perhaps. But maybe they weren't sure what to expect, and were waiting to see what the turnout was. Certainly they very quickly sided with the new powers that be on January 29, cozying up with Omar Suleiman who dangled recognition. And then again changed their position when he was compromised, although they never explicitly called for Mubarak to step down if I remember correctly. They adapted to the situation as it evolved, and it's worth remembering many Brotherhood leaders were arrested prior to the 28th.
The question is now whether they are continuing this approach with SCAF and the new security bosses. They almost certainly are, something that makes them sellouts to many of the revolutionary groups – as the rejection of their siding with SCAF on a handover of power to civilians in July rather than immediately shows.
Reader Comments (4)
And the internet shutdown was a response to Israeli hacking. http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/621096
Omar Suleiman is gone, but the deep state lives on...
you believe this given the defense's bizarre arguments (comms blackout was Israeli hacking, AUC allegations, Mubarak still in charge, ajendaat, etc)? I mean I would understand Wafd or any other fake opposition party who benefited somewhat from Mubarak presence doing this but the dakhleya regularly arrested, tortured, harassed MB members (as you mentioned they arrested leader pre Jan28).. I do view the MB as a political party and assume it behaves like one but just hard to see why they would do this.. They obviously didn't think the Mubarak regime would integrate them (or allow valid participation, esp. after 2005 election experience).. So given that (they were arrested anyway and no opportunity for proper political participation through Mubarak regime) , what is the driver of this type of behavior? I mean only thing I could imagine is that it is a defense (I.e. They were told participate peacefully or we'll arrest/torture more of you - but I mean they always have that option to just be a co-opted opposition like so many of the other parties pre-Jan25). I mean I see that their oppositional nature has been blunted per your comments around suleiman, SCAF, etc but that makes sense in terms of political logic (I.e. Use this as opportunity to gain strength from within system by dealing with SCAF until have enough leverage to go on offensive, like military did in 1950s)..
I mean just from a game theoryesque perspective just can't see that decision - but could easily be missing something completely.. You mention them interfacing with their SS handlers but that makes sense, Mubarak was in control and it was that or jail - but there is a difference between that and actively thwarting an opportunity to get more power/benefits..
Apologize for the rant, started thinking out loud and this happened..
As always, thank you for the blog/website, its a brilliant resource..
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