Muslim Brotherhood supporters were arrested in a second wave of arrest last Wednesday, December 25, when the government designated the group as a terrorist organization, according to a Reuters report.
According to security sources, at least 32 people who were said to be supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood were arrested.
The government has deployed Egyptian police forces all across Cairo right before Friday prayers. The deployment is based on the government anticipating further protest from the Islamist movement and its supporters despite being labeled a terrorist organization, the report said.
Egyptian security forces were scattered and deployed throughout the Egyptian capital beginning the country's midday prayers. Police forces were even strengthened after one person died Thursday, December 26, during a street clash between the police and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Government officials have also warned supporters of the Brotherhood that they will be severely punished under terrorism law. The Muslim Brother ran the country until July this year.
According to some analysts, the government's escalating crackdown of the Brotherhood and its supporters might trigger more violence. They said that this might exacerbate the country's political condition even further as it suffers the worst internal strife in its modern history, the report said.
The Muslim Brotherhood was labeled a terrorist organization after the government accused the group of being responsible for a suicide attack last Tuesday, December 24. The suicide attack killed 16 people and was the latest in a series of attacks in the country. Many are starting to fear an Islamist insurrection.
The government said that people who are found to support the Brotherhood and protest will face five years of imprisonment, while those accused under the terror law face life imprisonment. According to the government leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood will face death penalty under terrorism law.
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