Egyptian authorities have placed 35 entities operating in various European countries on a list of terrorist organizations. Among the names included is the Islamic Youth Forum, and the decision has opened debate over Muhamed Murtezi’s alleged links to the forum. Murtezi is currently president of the Council of the Municipality of Chair.
Murtezi’s name at the center of the debate
According to the published information, Muhamed Murtezi is mentioned in the Islamic Youth Forum as head of the commission for student activities. He serves as president of the Council of the Municipality of Chair and represents the Albanian coalition VLEN.
After the publication of the report about his role in this structure, Murtezi reacted on social media, denying the claim. His denial comes at a time when attention has shifted to the inclusion of the forum’s name in Cairo’s decision.
Public images and materials on social media
Despite the denial, Murtezi appears in several events organized by the forum on his social media profiles and on the social media pages of the Islamic Youth Forum, where he delivers Islamic lectures to participants.
Likewise, several published videos on the forum’s YouTube channel show Murtezi giving lectures. These public materials do not in themselves prove legal responsibility, but they keep open questions about the nature of his relationship with the organization.
A previous role in Islamic youth structures as well
In the biography previously published by VLEN alongside his candidacy for councilor in the Municipality of Chair, it is stated that Murtezi also served as president of the Islamic Youth Union.
This element adds to the public interest in his previous activity in religiously profiled organizations, especially now that the name of a forum in which he is mentioned has been included on a list announced by Egyptian authorities.
Why Cairo made this decision
According to the official version of the Egyptian authorities, the decision is tied to their long-running campaign against the Muslim Brotherhood and the networks they consider linked to it. The organization was designated as terrorist by Egypt in 2013, after the removal from power of President Mohamed Morsi.
According to Egyptian authorities, international networks linked to the Muslim Brotherhood pose a threat to national security. The Egyptian court’s decision carries legal consequences under that country’s legislation, including restrictions on activity and the freezing of assets that may fall under Egypt’s jurisdiction.
The list announced by the Egyptian court includes organizations, Islamic associations and individuals in several Western European countries. In this context, the inclusion of the Islamic Youth Forum has turned attention to the public ties of people who appear in its activities, beyond denials and whatever political interpretation may be made of the case.