Egypt Nabs Eilat Terror Suspect, Files Charges
Muhammad al-Teehi is believed to have been involved in the multi-pronged attack near Eilat in mid-August.
By Gil Ronen
First Publish: 11/13/2011, 9:02 PM
Egypt had arrested and filed charges against Muhammad al-Teehi, who is believed to have been involved in the multi-pronged attack near Eilat in mid-August that killed eight Israelis.
According to Channel 2 News, Egyptian authorities say that al-Teehi belongs to a terror group affiliated with Al Qaeda. According to some reports he is the leader of Al-Takfir Wa Al-Hijra (Excommunication and Exodus), an armed Islamist group.
An Egyptian security source said that "al-Teehi was arrested in an operation by the security forces on the shores of El Arish, after urgent intelligence information was received that he was hiding in one of the huts that are located on the beach, near the police compound."
"A special force was immediately assembled and along with APCs surrounded the place were al-Teehi was hiding and arrested him without any problem."
Egyptian officials told state news agency MENA they believe that al-Teehi, who tops the government's “wanted” list, is the mastermind behind attacks on police stations in El Arish, where he was arrested and responsible for the blowing up of gas pipelines in the Sinai. However, residents of el-Arish told MENA that al-Teehi is unable to move physically due to a fractured pelvis sustained as the result of a car accident.
Tags: Eilat terror