More than 90 Islamic opposition members, reported to be civil servants,
professors, physicians and teachers, were arrested in seven provinces, the
Brotherhood said on Wednesday. Nearly 200 dissidents have been detained
since Feb. 14. The Brotherhood identified the detainees on its official
website, ikhwanonline.com.
Opposition sources said the Mubarak regime fears an independent
presidential candidate that could challenge his son, Gamal. The sources said
Mubarak plans to resign sometime in 2008 and would seek to ensure succession
by his son.
In 2005, Egypt approved a constitutional amendment meant to limit the
prospect of any independent candidacy for president. The amendment required
a candidate to obtain endorsements from 65 elected members of the lower
house of parliament, 25 elected members of the upper house and 140 members
of local councils.
The Brotherhood controls more than 80 members of the lower parliament
but does not have a seat in the upper parliament, or Shura Council. The
sources said the Brotherhood could obtain the endorsement of 140 local
councils unless the elections in April would be rigged.
