Wanted List: Muslim Brotherhood Turns to Intimidation to Halt European Measures Against Its Arms

The Muslim Brotherhood's response to the European Parliament resolution targeting its arms weeks ago was no different from what it has historically done with its opponents.

The group resorted to stigmatizing European MPs who voted in favor of a draft curbing its activities, intimidating them within the framework of a systematic campaign.

The European Anti-Racism Network (a Brotherhood arm) published the names and photos of 306 members of the European Parliament who voted in favor of a decision against the infiltration of political Islam in Europe, in what politicians described as resembling a "wanted list."

The organization described the decision in various posts as "racist," and wrote under the MPs' photos: "Remember their names. Remember their faces. History does not forget."

The network posted images of 306 MPs who voted on October 8/November in favor of the decision opposing the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood. The decision explicitly distinguishes between Islam and political Islam, and demands the protection of Muslim citizens from discrimination.

Parliament President Roberta Metsola also appeared on one of the photo boards published by the network.

The irony is that the network itself is mentioned in the text of the European Parliament resolution due to links with networks associated with the Brotherhood and political Islam.

Why is this behavior dangerous?

Nina Scholz, an expert on political Islam, told the Austrian newspaper "Express" that she had never witnessed a campaign of this type targeting MPs because of a specific vote.

She explained: "Imagine if extremists from the right or left acted this way against MPs because they did not like a decision?", adding, "This network thereby steps outside the framework of sound democratic practice."

Scholz warns that stigmatizing others with "Islamophobia" may endanger their personal safety, calling for the matter to be examined from a criminal law perspective.

Serap Atis, co-founder of the "AK-Polis" foundation in Berlin, joined voices warning against the European Anti-Racism Network's campaign, writing on her Instagram account on November 6, "I strongly welcome the decision adopted by the European Parliament against political Islam."

She continued, "What the European Anti-Racism Network is doing crosses a line that must not be crossed. This is implicit threat. This is intimidation. Given the Islamist violence Europe has already witnessed, it is irresponsible to downplay such a campaign."

She added, "I have lived under personal protection for nearly 20 years. Therefore, I know where attempts at intimidation can lead. Those who publicly shame people with their names and faces know exactly what they are doing and what consequences may follow."

European Parliament MP Lukas Mandl said in press statements, "Shaming is a method from the dark Middle Ages," continuing: "These shaming methods remind me of wanted lists. But I will not allow anyone to intimidate me."

MP Petra Steger described the campaign as a "blatant maneuver of intimidation" and a "flagrant threat," explaining: "Such methods are a direct attack on the freedom of parliamentary will formation and have no place in democratic Europe."

Steger demands listing the entire Muslim Brotherhood on the EU terrorism list and withdrawing public funds from Islamist networks.

Have MPs started procedures against the network?

In a letter dated October 29/November to Parliament President Metsola, five European MPs demanded an investigation into the European Anti-Racism Network's campaign and steps to withdraw the network representatives' accreditations and access cards to EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg.

The MPs warned of risks threatening the safety of the concerned MPs and hindering their free exercise of duties.

Why is the Brotherhood trying to limit the impact of the European Parliament decision?

According to observers, the intimidation attempt followed by the Brotherhood, especially the European Anti-Racism Network, is a desperate move to stop the European measures called for by the Parliament decision and limit its impact at both the bloc level and member states.

The decision approved by the European Parliament last month calls on EU member states to establish a joint strategy to combat Muslim Brotherhood networks:

The decision, submitted by the European People's Party (EPP), received support from conservatives and the far-right, along with some liberal legislators, and passed with a majority of 381 votes in favor, against 167 votes against and 15 abstentions.

The decision condemns the "strategy of infiltrating political Islam aimed at weakening democratic institutions in all EU member states."

It also affirms its opposition to legitimizing networks seeking to undermine established civil institutions.

The decision, which Al-Ain News reviewed a copy of, calls on the Vice-President of the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to propose to the European Council listing the Muslim Brotherhood on the EU list of terrorist organizations.

The decision also demands the immediate and permanent suspension of any form of economic support, grants, subsidies, or financial aid funded by the EU budget for any organization, institution, NGO, or entity linked to it, having direct or indirect ties to political Islam networks, including the Muslim Brotherhood.