This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/world/europe/britain-orders-inquiry-into-muslim-brotherhood.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Britain Orders Inquiry Into Muslim Brotherhood Britain Orders Inquiry Into Muslim Brotherhood in London
(about 5 hours later)
LONDON — Prime Minister David Cameron has ordered an inquiry into the activities in Britain of the Muslim Brotherhood, one of the most prominent Islamic organizations, to determine in part whether it is using London as a base for planning extremist attacks following the military crackdown in Egypt, officials and media reports said on Tuesday. LONDON — Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain has ordered an inquiry into the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood, one of the most prominent Islamic organizations, to determine in part whether it is using London as a base for planning extremist attacks following the military crackdown in Egypt, officials and news media reports said on Tuesday.
In the past, British governments have moved against smaller Islamic militant groups, but have tended to cast the Brotherhood in a different, more moderate light, particularly after Mohamed Morsi was elected Egypt’s president in 2012. Mr. Morsi was overthrown last year by the military and Egypt, like Saudi Arabia, has since declared the Brotherhood a terrorist organization. In the past, British governments have moved against small Islamic militant groups, but have tended to cast the Brotherhood in a different, more moderate light, particularly after Mohamed Morsi was elected Egypt’s president in 2012. Mr. Morsi was overthrown last year by the military and Egypt, like Saudi Arabia, has since declared the Brotherhood a terrorist organization.
A spokeswoman for Mr. Cameron, speaking in return for anonymity under departmental rules, said the Brotherhood “has risen in prominence in recent years but our understanding of the organization – its philosophy and values — has not kept pace with this.” A spokeswoman for Mr. Cameron, speaking on the condition of anonymity under departmental rules, said the Brotherhood “has risen in prominence in recent years but our understanding of the organization — its philosophy and values — has not kept pace with this.”
“Given the concerns now being expressed about the group and its alleged links to violent extremism, it’s absolutely right and prudent that we get a better handle of what the Brotherhood stands for, how they intend to achieve their aims and what that means for Britain,” the spokeswoman said.“Given the concerns now being expressed about the group and its alleged links to violent extremism, it’s absolutely right and prudent that we get a better handle of what the Brotherhood stands for, how they intend to achieve their aims and what that means for Britain,” the spokeswoman said.
The inquiry, to be headed by Sir John Jenkins, Britain’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, is to complete its investigation by midsummer, officials said.The inquiry, to be headed by Sir John Jenkins, Britain’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, is to complete its investigation by midsummer, officials said.
Word of the inquiry first emerged in The Times of London, which said leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood met in London last year to plan their response to Mr. Morsi’s overthrow. In Mr. Morsi’s place, a new government was installed by Gen. Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, who announced last month that he was resigning from the army and running for president Word of the inquiry was first reported in The Times of London, which said leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood met in London last year to plan their response to Mr. Morsi’s overthrow. In Mr. Morsi’s place, a new government was installed by Field Marshal Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, who announced last month that he was resigning from the army and running for president.
The issue of foreign extremists using London as a base is particularly sensitive here. In the days surrounding the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the intelligence agencies of some other European countries derisively labeled the British capital Londonistan — a reference to the ease with which Islamic militants were able to operate there. The issue of foreign extremists using London as a base is particularly sensitive here. In the days surrounding the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the intelligence agencies of some European countries derisively labeled the British capital as Londonistan — a reference to the ease with which Islamic militants were able to operate there.
British media reports said the inquiry would draw on information from both the MI5 domestic security service and the MI6 foreign intelligence agency. MI5 would investigate the extent to which Brotherhood personnel had been able to take refuge in Britain since Mr. Morsi’s ouster. MI6 would report on any involvement by the organization in terrorist activities, such as an attack in February on a busload of tourists in the Sinai Peninsula in which three South Korean Christians were killed. British news media reports said the inquiry would draw on information from both the domestic security service, MI5, and the foreign intelligence agency, MI6. MI5 would investigate the extent to which Brotherhood personnel had been able to take refuge in Britain since Mr. Morsi’s ouster. MI6 would report on any involvement by the organization in terrorist activities, such as an attack in February on a busload of tourists in the Sinai Peninsula in which three South Korean Christians and their Egyptian driver were killed.
Since Mr. Morsi was overthrown, jihadists operating mostly in the northern Sinai have carried out hundreds of bombings, assassinations and at least one attack using a rocket-propelled grenade. The victims have included soldiers, police officers and Christian residents. But militants had not directly struck at Egyptian tourism, a source of millions of jobs and vital foreign currency. Since Mr. Morsi’s ouster, militants operating mostly in northern Sinai have carried out hundreds of bombings, assassinations and at least one attack using a rocket-propelled grenade. The victims have included soldiers, police officers and Christian residents. But militants had not directly struck at Egyptian tourism, a source of millions of jobs and vital foreign currency.
The British inquiry followed behind-the-scenes pressure from Egypt and Saudi Arabia for Britain to outlaw the organization — but an official said the aim of the inquiry was “not about establishing evidence to proscribe” the group. Mr. Morsi, along with hundreds of his followers, is facing trial in Egypt on an array of charges. The British inquiry comes amid behind-the-scenes pressure from Egypt and Saudi Arabia for Britain to outlaw the organization — but an official said the aim of the inquiry was “not about establishing evidence to proscribe” the group. Mr. Morsi, along with hundreds of his followers, is facing trial in Egypt on an array of charges.
Last month, when Saudi Arabia branded the Brotherhood a terrorist organization, the group’s response came in a statement from its London office, which said it was surprised and distressed by the Saudi decree.Last month, when Saudi Arabia branded the Brotherhood a terrorist organization, the group’s response came in a statement from its London office, which said it was surprised and distressed by the Saudi decree.