Turkey revokes citizenship of Muslim Brotherhood leader Mahmoud Hussein, among others

Five Egyptian nationals residing in Turkey who are members of the Muslim Brotherhood, including leading figure Mahmoud Hussein, have had their Turkish citizenships nullified, according to three sources who spoke to Mada Masr.

Hussein and the four are some of at least 50 individuals whose Turkish citizenships were under review within a security campaign targeting Egyptians who sought naturalization in Turkey over the years since 2015, which comes as Egypt and Turkey work to restore diplomatic and political relations.

Hussein, named acting supreme guide in 2022, had his citizenship revoked by the Turkish Interior Ministry two months ago, alongside four other Egyptian nationals, Adel Rashed, who heads a group representing the Egyptian diaspora in Turkey, told Mada Masr.

A Turkish government directive prompted a review that began around six months ago and interrogated the status of all Egyptian nationals granted Turkish citizenship since 2015, said a source close to the MB speaking to Mada Masr on condition of anonymity.

Turkey identified a group of MB leaders exploiting close ties with its officials to profit from assisting Egyptian nationals in Turkey to obtain citizenship, said the same source. Lists of Egyptian nationals inside and outside Turkey were compiled by the group, and donations were requested from MB figures and supporters in the Gulf, Europe, Russia and other places to support their naturalization under the pretext that they were facing political persecution. MB figures then leveraged connections with Turkish officials to facilitate the naturalization process in exchange for substantial sums of money for each individual granted Turkish citizenship.

A number of Muslim Brotherhood leaders were summoned by Turkey’s Interior Ministry for investigation for allegations of profiteering, including former Freedom and Justice Party spokesperson Hamza Zawbaa and MB leader and head of the Egyptian community Adel Rashed, the source added.

Rashed did not respond to Mada Masr’s inquiry regarding whether or not he was summoned for investigation. Instead, he emphasized that it is within the rights of the Turkish state to review files, assess the integrity of procedures and evaluate behaviors, adding that it is the state’s decision that counts, not hearsay.

The source, as well as a second source close to the Muslim Brotherhood, said that at least 50 individuals were identified as ineligible and had their Turkish citizenships revoked. These include leadership figures from al-Jamaa al-Islamiyya and young members and leaders of the brotherhood who have had their Turkish passports withdrawn, said the second source.

The first source close to the MB stated that although Hussein is not among those implicated in profiteering allegations and has no connection to the matter, Turkish authorities found that his naturalization procedures were expedited and that his file for citizenship by investment was incomplete and lacking many necessary documents.

The Saudi-based Al Arabiya news outlet, citing undisclosed sources, reported on Monday that Hussein was informed of the annulment of his citizenship and passport in the past few days. The Turkish authorities did not clarify the reasons behind the decision and advised him to appoint a lawyer to intercede with the relevant authorities to find out the reason.

The report linked the citizenship revocation to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's February 14 visit to Egypt, stating that "following the visit, Muslim Brotherhood leaders began departing Turkish territories, including media personnel and members of the Hasm movement associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as academics who were employed in Turkish universities. Furthermore, restrictions were placed on other individuals, and their social media activity was constrained."

Hussein’s lawyer, Mokhtar al-Ashri, declined to comment on his client’s citizenship annulment, telling Mada Masr that “the information published regarding Hussein is inaccurate” and that they would “respond at the appropriate time.”

Rashed told Mada Masr that the decision to revoke Hussein’s citizenship was issued two months ago, and is related to concerns about the integrity of Turkey’s citizenship acquisition procedures.

Erdogan’s visit to Egypt signaled the end of an11-year rift between Egypt and Turkey, which began with Turkey’s criticism of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi. Since 2013, hundreds of political opposition figures affiliated with the MB and other groups have departed Egypt for Turkey.

Egypt and Turkey began restoring relations in 2021. Sources told Mada Masr at the time that Egypt made several demands, including putting an end to the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s political, legal and financial activities on Turkish soil.