Jailed Islamic militant announces run for Egyptian presidency News
Jailed Islamic militant announces run for Egyptian presidency

[JURIST] A leader of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood [backgrounder] announced Saturday through his lawyer that he would run as a candidate against Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak [official profile] in upcoming elections, although his party has not formally endorsed his candidacy. Essam el-Erian [Al Ahram profile/interview] was arrested this week along with some 200 others during anti-government protests in Cairo [AFP report]. A Mubarak-sanctioned constitutional amendment allowing more than one candidate to run for president [JURIST report] is up for expected approval in the Egyptian parliament next week; the amendment could effectively compromise a candidacy by el-Erian or any member of the Brotherhood because associated regulations would require independent candidates to be supported by at least 300 recommendations from elected lawmakers. AP has more.