[JURIST] An Egyptian court on Monday banned the Muslim Brotherhood [BBC backgrounder; JURIST news archive] and ordered its assets confiscated as part of the military government’s crackdown on the group. The Cairo administrative court declared that its ruling would apply to all organizations affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood [BBC report], including its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party [party website]. Although the Muslim Brotherhood was banned for most of its 85-year existence [AP report], it regained power when Islamist Mohamed Morsi [JURIST news archive] became president in 2012. It is unclear if the Muslim Brotherhood will appeal the ruling.

Although Egypt has faced political unrest since the Egyptian Revolution [JURIST backgrounder] began over two years ago, the conflict peaked in July after the military deposed president Morsi, suspended the nation’s constitution and installed an interim government. Earlier this week JURIST guest columnist Liesel LeCates discussed [JURIST op-ed] whether recent sentences by an Egyptian military tribunal against supporters of Morsi were fair. Last week Egyptian police arrested a spokesperson [JURIST report] for the Muslim Brotherhood. Two weeks ago the government extended emergency laws [JURIST report] put in place in mid-August. Earlier in September an Egyptian court ordered the closure [JURIST report] of four media outlets, including an affiliate of Al Jazeera, for their alleged support of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Egyptian government reportedly claims [AP report] that Al-Jazeera’s affiliate provided biased news coverage during Brotherhood protests following the removal [JURIST report] of Morsi in July.