The Cairo Court for Urgent Matters on Tuesday banned the activities of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas in Egypt and ordered the closure of its headquarters.
In a statement quoted by Reuters, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zahri denounced the ruling, saying it reflects an Egyptian stance opposed to Palestinian resistance and damages Egypt's image and its position on the Palestinian cause.
Lawyer Samir Sabry had filed a lawsuit against interim president Adly Mansour, former Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawy and Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim, demanding they label the movement as a terrorist organization.
"Hamas originated in Palestine as an Islamic resistance movement but turned into a terrorist organization," Sabry argued in his pleading. He added that Hamas currently has strong ties with the Muslim Brotherhood which is currently designated as a terrorist organization by the Egyptian government.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
