Egypt has included 35 entities operating in various countries across Europe on its list of terrorist organizations, among them Albanian organizations in three states.
Among them is the Islamic Youth Forum, which is linked to the name of Muhamed Murtezi, currently chairman of the Çair Municipality Council and a representative of the VLEN coalition.
Although Murtezi has denied being the chairman of this forum, traces of his public activity show an earlier involvement. In photos and videos published both on his profiles and on the official YouTube channel of the Islamic Youth Forum, he appears taking part in events and delivering religious lectures.
Moreover, in his biography published by VLEN as part of his candidacy for municipal councillor, it is stated that Murtezi was previously chairman of the Islamic Youth League.
The decision of the Egyptian authorities is linked to the long campaign against the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization founded in 1928 and declared terrorist by Egypt in 2013, after the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi.
Cairo considers the networks it links to this organization a threat to national security and seeks to restrict their activity and financing. Inclusion on the Egyptian list carries legal consequences within that state’s jurisdiction.