MB News
August 25, 2010
6 minutes read

MB draws parallel with storming of office and Watergate scandal

Dr. Mohamed Saad Ketatni from the Muslim Brotherhood’s Executive Bureau and head of the parliamentary bloc alleged that al-Minya’s local authorities raided his house and seized his computer and personal documents which included classified material containing the names of representatives expected to nominate in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

In a statement to the Egyptian independent daily newspaper "Al-Mesryoon", Ketatni maintained that the confiscated papers were of great importance since they contained data files and critical information concerning the entire parliamentary session and his achievements.

"The Office is located in Minya’s downtown, only 50 meters away from the police station," Ketatni said, adding that the building contains a bank which is heavily guarded with armed security stressing guards would not allow strange individuals entry into the building without keys. He continued, "It was clearly evident that police committed the crime as they seized the computers Case leaving behind the camera and other expensive apparatus. He explained the police intended to send a warning message to the MB deputies that there is no respect for the parliamentary immunity.

Ketatni maintained that he had filed an official complaint to the competent authorities and he will ask the PA Speaker to take action to stop such a farce and compel the executive power to respect legislative authority. He called on security authorities to abandon such tactics seeking to intimidate voters as it had already proved its failure.

Dr. Hamdi Hassan, the media spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) parliamentary bloc, described the incident as "Egyptian Watergate".

The data contained significant information concerning Ketatni and his colleagues, Hassan expressed his concerns over the possibility of being arrested. "The raid, which was carried out on Monday, is a clear declaration that the executive power lacks respect for the Constitution".

Hassan stressed that it was not the first incident the office of a MB bloc member’s office to be raided where MB MP Akram Al-Shaer’s office had earlier been stormed and PA Speaker Fathi Sorour condemned it, commenting "The immunity of the MP must be respected.