Police arrest 22 Muslim Brotherhood members after clashes

Twenty-two Muslim Brotherhood members were arrested Thursday after clashing with police in a northern Nile Delta village, police officials said.The clash erupted in Old Salhiya village after police tried to detain some Brotherhood members wanted for questioning on a rioting incident last month, the officials said.

‘’They fought police back with sticks and stones to prevent them from carrying out their duties,’’ said one official. At least one officer was wounded in the clashes, said another police official.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.

They said police later managed to put down the unrest and detain 17 members who were wanted for questioning and five other Brotherhood rioters.

The government has accused the group of inciting riots in the village during prayers celebrating the festival that marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan in October.

The Interior Ministry said the Brotherhood used iron poles and batons to prevent clerics from holding prayers.

Shortly after last month’s riots, 35 Brotherhood members were arrested.

Old Salhiya is located in Sharqiya, which like many Nile Delta provinces is known as a Muslim Brotherhood hideout.

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