Fugitive leader of Muslim Brotherhood denies Egypt 'terror' charges

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A fugitive leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is denying media allegations that his group is waging a “terror” campaign.

Mohammed el-Beltagy's videotaped speech was aired by Al-Jazeera this morning.

He says the accusations are "lies" and an attempt to turn a political crisis into a security problem.

He went into hiding earlier this month after authorities violently broke up protest encampments held by supporters of President Mohammed Morsi, ousted in a July 3 coup.

Hundreds died in the crackdown, including el-Beltagy's daughter.

In a backlash, Morsi supporters attacked police stations, government buildings and churches.

Hundreds of Brotherhood leaders and Morsi supporters have been arrested, many accused of orchestrating violence.

Egypt's media, almost uniformly anti-Brotherhood after the closure of Islamist TV stations, have described the crackdown as a "war on terror."

PA