The new spiritual leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is hiding in London in fear of assassination, it can be disclosed. Gomaa Amin is thought to have been made head of the Islamist organization last week after the arrest of his predecessor in Cairo by Egypt's military rulers. Amin, 79, had flown to London about two months ago for medical treatment and as a result was not detained when the army seized power.
Amin's presence in London is a potential headache for British officials who may be obliged to provide protection for such a controversial figure. There is concern that Amin's residency in London will attract militant Islamists. In the 1980s and 1990s, Britain largely operated an 'open-door' policy allowing extremists to live in exile in London to escape persecution from authoritarian regimes in the Arab world.
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