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Saudi Arabia declares Muslim Brotherhood 'terrorist group' | Saudi Arabia declares Muslim Brotherhood 'terrorist group' |
(6 days later) | |
Saudi Arabia has formally designated the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation. | Saudi Arabia has formally designated the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation. |
An interior ministry statement also classified two jihadist groups fighting with the Syrian rebels - the Nusra Front and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - as terrorist groups. | An interior ministry statement also classified two jihadist groups fighting with the Syrian rebels - the Nusra Front and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - as terrorist groups. |
The statement gave Saudis fighting in Syria 15 days to return. | The statement gave Saudis fighting in Syria 15 days to return. |
A royal decree issued last month said any citizen found guilty of fighting in conflicts abroad faced a jail sentence. | A royal decree issued last month said any citizen found guilty of fighting in conflicts abroad faced a jail sentence. |
Hundreds of Saudis are believed to be fighting in Syria, and correspondents say Riyadh fears they could pose a security risk when they return home. | Hundreds of Saudis are believed to be fighting in Syria, and correspondents say Riyadh fears they could pose a security risk when they return home. |
Although the kingdom has supported the Sunni-led rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, it has long feared a backlash from radical jihadist groups. | Although the kingdom has supported the Sunni-led rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, it has long feared a backlash from radical jihadist groups. |
Last month, King Abdullah decreed jail terms of up to 20 years for anyone belonging to "terrorist groups" or fighting abroad. | |
The interior ministry also said the Saudi branch of the Shia militant movement Hezbollah was now banned. | |
The new law also promised tough sanctions for anyone backing the incriminated organisations. | |
However, rights group Amnesty International has criticised the legislation, saying it could be used to suppress peaceful political dissent. | However, rights group Amnesty International has criticised the legislation, saying it could be used to suppress peaceful political dissent. |
Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia joined the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in withdrawing its ambassadors from Qatar, which it sees as an important supporter of the Brotherhood. | Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia joined the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in withdrawing its ambassadors from Qatar, which it sees as an important supporter of the Brotherhood. |
The Muslim Brotherhood is already banned in Saudi Arabia, which has long viewed its ideology of populist Islam as a threat. | The Muslim Brotherhood is already banned in Saudi Arabia, which has long viewed its ideology of populist Islam as a threat. |
Analysts say the Brotherhood's conservative Sunni doctrines are seen as a challenge to the Saudi principle of dynastic rule. | Analysts say the Brotherhood's conservative Sunni doctrines are seen as a challenge to the Saudi principle of dynastic rule. |
In Egypt, the Brotherhood has been driven underground since the army deposed President Mohammed Morsi, a longtime member of the group. | In Egypt, the Brotherhood has been driven underground since the army deposed President Mohammed Morsi, a longtime member of the group. |
The military-backed government in Cairo designated the Brotherhood a terrorist group in December. | The military-backed government in Cairo designated the Brotherhood a terrorist group in December. |
Update 13 March 2014: The Shia movement Hezbollah was among the groups banned on 7 March and the story has been updated to include this. |