Egypt bans April 6 Youth Movement with key role in ousting Mubarak

An Egyptian court issued a ruling on Monday banning the activities of the April 6 Youth Movement, the most prominent opposition movement that played a key role in the uprising that brought down the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak. The group has also been at the forefront of opposition to the current military-appointed authorities; it stands accused of “espionage” for foreign forces and of carrying out “activities that tarnish Egypt’s image”. Its headquarters was also ordered to be closed by the court.

The case against April 6 was filed by a lawyer who demanded that President Adly Mansour, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, Defence Minister Sedky Sobhy and the Prosecutor General Hesham Barakat should ban it. The legal action illustrates the political nature of “justice” in Egypt and does more to “tarnish Egypt’s image” than any of the group’s activities, said one London-based commentator.

The April 6 Youth Movement was founded in 2008 and it opposed Mubarak’s regime, then it split into two movements due to internal management differences after the January 25 Revolution. Its founder, Ahmed Maher, is currently serving a three year prison sentence for protesting without obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Interior and for confronting police forces.