Maghreb Edition

Egypt arrests two Germans suspected to be joining Islamic StateF

Posted On 11 January 2019

Number of times this article was read : 322

Cairo, Jan 11, 2019 – Egypt has arrested two German nationals on suspicion they tried to join an Islamic State group affiliate and deported one of them, Egyptian security sources said Friday. German media reported earlier this month that two Germans had gone missing after arriving separately in Egypt in December. Germany’s foreign ministry on Friday confirmed the return of one German national and said another was still in Egyptian custody.

The families of both men believe their arrests were cases of mistaken identity. And Egyptian authorities had previously denied the arrests to AFP. One man was detained at Cairo International Airport over suspicions he was seeking to join the IS jihadist group in Egypt’s turbulent northern Sinai region, the Egyptian sources said. The suspect, who Germany said was 23, was reportedly arrested on December 27.

“Since he did not commit any crime under the Egyptian law and gave up the Egyptian nationality, the authorities decided to deport him to his country of
nationality — Germany — in coordination with the German embassy,” one of sources said.

A German foreign ministry spokesman confirmed that the man had arrived back in the country late Thursday. The spokesman said the German embassy in Cairo had received confirmation that a second German, aged 18, was also being held and that the mission was seeking consular access to him. The second suspect was reportedly arrested in mid-December after landing in the southern city of Luxor. He was found with maps of North Sinai in his possession and authorities believe he came to Egypt with the intent of joining IS as well, the Egyptian security sources said. Procedures were still underway for his deportation to Germany. The German foreign ministry said it could provide no information on Egypt’s accusation that the men were IS followers or whether they would be questioned in Germany.

Egypt has been battling an insurgency in North Sinai, which surged following the 2013 military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. In February, security forces launched a major operation focused on the turbulent region, aimed at wiping out an IS affiliate accused of spearheading the insurgency.

(c) AFP

The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group
.

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Trump Sends Controversial Envoy to South Africa at a Diplomatic Low Point$

Leo Brent Bozell III has arrived in Pretoria as the new U.S. ambassador to South Africa, stepping into one of the most strained periods in bilateral relations in recent years. His appointment, amid disputes over Israel, Afrikaner rights allegations, and diplomatic expulsions, reflects a politically charged moment that could redefine the trajectory of U.S.–South Africa ties.

Algeria and Niger Relaunch Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline After Diplomatic Freeze$

Algeria and Niger have ended months of strained relations and announced the operational launch of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, a 4,000-kilometer project linking Nigerian gas fields to European markets through Niger and Algeria. The move signals both a diplomatic reset and a renewed push to position North Africa as a strategic energy corridor.

Morocco Detains Civic Activist Amid Online Speech Concerns$

Moroccan authorities have detained Mohammed Khalif,a Casablanca-based member of the youth movement GenZ212, following a home search and seizure of his computer. Charges have not yet been publicly disclosed. His arrest comes days after another GenZ212 member was prosecuted over alleged online incitement, raising questions about the legal climate surrounding youth activism and digital expression in Morocco.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.