Muslim Brotherhood denies link to Egypt militant group

By Hussein Qabanni

CAIRO (AA) - Egypt’s embattled Muslim Brotherhood movement has denied any relation with a militant group that has recently claimed a spate of deadly attacks in the country.

“The Brotherhood has no relation with any organization or individuals who shed blood,” group spokesman Talaat Fahmi told Anadolu Agency on Saturday.

“The Brotherhood does not have any armed wing in Egypt,” he stressed.

The denial came two days after six policemen were killed in a bomb attack in the Egyptian capital Cairo on Friday.

The bombing was claimed by the Hasm movement, which local media link to the Brotherhood, which the authorities blacklisted in 2013.

The militant group had previously claimed a car bomb attack that targeted the deputy attorney-general in September. The official had emerged unhurt from the bombing.

Fahmi blamed the Egyptian authorities for the ongoing violence in the country.

“There are no armed wings in the Muslim Brotherhood and we don’t have any relation to any organization, group or individuals who claim armed operations or [acts] of bloodshed,” he said.

Egypt has been roiled by turmoil since the military deposed Mohamed Morsi, the country’s first freely elected president, in a 2013 coup.