Egypt \'bans key anti-Mubarak April 6 group\'

Ahmed Douma (R) and founder of the April 6 movement Ahmed Maher (L) An Egyptian court on Monday banned the April 6 youth movement that spearheaded the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak and has protested against the current military-installed regime, a judicial official said. The court issued the ruling based on a complaint that accused the group of defaming the country and colluding with foreign parties.
April 6 had also opposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was toppled by the army in July, but turned on the military-installed regime when the authorities cracked down on dissidents.
Its leader Ahmed Maher was sentenced to three years in prison in December for violating a law that bans all but police-sanctioned protests.
Secular leaning groups such as April 6 have increasingly protested against the army-installed government, accusing it of restricting freedoms while giving police a free hand to crush dissent.
As part of the crackdown, a court banned Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood movement and ordered its assets seized.
The Islamist group, decapitated in a crackdown that has imprisoned much of its leadership, has also been designated as a terrorist group.
Anti-government groups accuse the military of trying to wedge their way back into power in the wake of Morsi's overthrow.
Former military chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is contesting presidential elections in late May he is expected to win easily.
Source: AFP