Abdulrahman al-Rashed

By : Abdulrahman al-Rashed

Both sides in Egypt chose to escalate the conflict. Muslim Brotherhood leaders who fled and settled abroad decided to defy the regime, justifying the killings in Sinai and threatening the current Egyptian rule. As for the prosecutor, he chose to submit a petition against the imprisoned MB senior leaders accusing them of two charges that can lead to the gallows: spying and fleeing prison.

The opinion of the Grand Mufti of Egypt is yet to be announced before the final court hearing. But the question remains: Will these provisions be implemented? Will deposed President Mursi be executed? Will they execute the Brotherhood’s General Guide Mohammad Badie and leading member of the organization Khairat el-Shater, as well as a large number of members and ministers who served when the Brotherhood was in power?

Facing the gallows

The possibility of executing MB leaders and members cannot be ruled out. Sayyid Qutb was executed in 1966 on similar charges, for conspiring against Egypt. The current political climate is similar to the 1960s. High-ranked convicts will be led to the gallows, without taking into account calls for clemency and mediations, which are expected to arise after the potential confirmation of sentences. A state of defiance and tension is prevailing in Egypt; the Egyptian regime believes that the Muslim Brotherhood is still waging wars against the country and that MB leaders living abroad may want to have another “Sayyid Qutb” case to exploit in their political battle.

The possibility of executing MB leaders and members cannot be ruled out

Abdulrahman al-Rashed

It is also believed that the Brotherhood is no longer able to control the practices and statements of its leaders who became hostages to external forces aiming to expand the circle of conflict inside Egypt. This is at least what an Arab Muslim Brotherhood member believes. He thinks that the MB lost its real leadership when it took power, then failed in presidential rule and ended up in prisons. The rulings have entangled all MB leaders because they failed to remain aware of what is happening around them; they got involved in the battle and became easy targets. He believes that the group lacks leadership and that is what makes governments that are “at war” with Egypt, take advantage and exploit the group in the media and on political and military fronts. Consequently, there is no longer a chance of resorting to reconciliation or lenient sentences.

No one wants to witness bloodshed in Sinai or in Cairo, regardless of anything. However, it seems that things will inevitably be out of control in the country if President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi doesn’t interfere and grant amnesty to MB leaders and members, which would be a constitutional right.

Abdulrahman al-Rashed is the former General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel. A veteran and internationally acclaimed journalist, he is a former editor-in-chief of the London-based leading Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat, where he still regularly writes a political column. He has also served as the editor of Asharq al-Awsat’s sister publication, al-Majalla. Throughout his career, Rashed has interviewed several world leaders, with his articles garnering worldwide recognition, and he has successfully led Al Arabiya to the highly regarded, thriving and influential position it is in today.

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