The Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party and the Salafi-led Nour Party on Tuesday rejected accusations by presidential candidate Ahmed Shafiq that Islamist movements were involved in the killing of demonstrators in the Battle of the Camel on 2 February 2011 during the revolution that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak.
Shafiq made the statements to talk show host Khairy Ramadan on CBC satellite channel on Monday.
“A military official told me during the [18-day uprising] that he had asked Brotherhood member Mohamed al-Beltagy and pro-Brotherhood preacher Safwat Hegazy to order the 'bearded' snipers killing protesters from the roofs of buildings to get down, to which Hegazy agreed,” Shafiq said.
Shafiq also threatened to dissolve the two parties if they did not stop mixing religion with politics.
Nader Bakkar, spokesperson for the Nour Party, described Shafiq’s statements as “dangerous and irresponsible.” He added that, “Nobody can dissolve parties in the post-revolutionary state of law.”
“Either Shafiq concealed information about snipers killing demonstrators, or he wrongfully accuses others without evidence,” Bakkar said. “Both are punishable by law.”
He called on the court that is considering the Battle of the Camel case to summon Shafiq as a witness for the information he admitted to having on Ramadan’s show.
Beltagy said he would sue Shafiq for what he said about him. He added that Shafiq’s statements are “lies and misleading,” saying that Shaifq is trying to “escape responsibility, a new crime added to his record.”
Mohamed Morsy, the FJP candidate who is expected to enjoy wide support of Islamists, and Shafiq are set to compete in the runoff election slated for 16 and 17 June.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
