A senior member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Abdel Hafiz, was arrested by Turkish authorities at Istanbul Airport earlier this week. The move comes as Ankara and Cairo continue efforts to improve relations after years of political tension.
Abdel Hafiz is wanted in Egypt on charges related to alleged involvement in a series of attacks, including the 2016 assassination of the country’s top prosecutor and a reported 2022 plot targeting the Egyptian president’s aircraft. He has also been linked to the Hasm Movement, a group designated by Egyptian authorities as the armed wing of the Muslim Brotherhood.
The arrest followed a statement by Egypt’s Interior Ministry, which disclosed a recent counterterrorism operation in Giza. According to the ministry, the operation targeted a cell planning attacks on government and economic institutions. Two individuals and one civilian were killed during the raid. The ministry also released a list of suspects abroad, naming several Brotherhood figures it claimed were connected to the plot, including Abdel Hafiz.
Following his arrest, a statement attributed to Abdel Hafiz’s family on social media indicated that he is in custody and may face extradition to Egypt. Turkish authorities have not made an official statement regarding the extradition request.
The development is being viewed in the context of a broader realignment in Turkish regional policy. While Ankara previously maintained a close relationship with members of the Muslim Brotherhood following the 2013 change in Egypt’s leadership, recent years have seen a shift. Media outlets affiliated with the group have scaled down or moved operations abroad, and several individuals have reportedly lost legal status in Turkey.
Despite past political disagreements, economic ties between Turkey and Egypt have remained largely unaffected. Both countries have expressed interest in expanding trade relations, with a target to increase bilateral trade from $9 billion to $15 billion.
It remains unclear whether Turkey will extradite other individuals on Egypt’s wanted list. Some are believed to still reside in Turkey, and previous requests have not led to formal transfers. However, the latest developments suggest a potential change in approach, as both governments continue to engage in diplomatic and economic dialogue.
The Hasm Movement has been largely inactive since 2019, though Egyptian authorities recently claimed to have disrupted a new plot. A statement from the Brotherhood’s leadership reaffirming a commitment to non-violence was released shortly after the Giza operation was disclosed.
The situation continues to evolve, with attention now focused on whether further cooperation between Turkey and Egypt will follow.
