Interpol calls for Egyptian cleric’s arrest in Qatar

Youssef Al Qaradawi is wanted in Egypt for a variety of charges.

Youssef Al Qaradawi speaks during a news conference in Doha on June 23. Mohammed Dabbous / Reuters

ABU DHABI // Interpol has issued a wanted notice for Youssef Al Qaradawi, an Egyptian cleric considered to be a spiritual guide to the Muslim Brotherhood.

The bulletin said Egyptian authorities want to prosecute Mr Al Qaradawi, 88, for a variety of charges including incitement and assistance to commit murder, helping prisoners to escape, and arson.

The Interpol Red Notice, which seeks “the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action”, was released on Friday.

A Red Notice is considered to be similar to an international arrest warrant. Local authorities are intended to notify the country where a person is wanted when they are located. The country can then request the individual’s arrest or file a request for extradition.

Mr Al Qaradawi has previously been accused of involvement in a series of prison breaks during the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak in Egypt. Thousands of inmates, including members of the Muslim Brotherhood, are said to have escaped.

Mr Al Qaradawi currently resides in Qatar where he has a widely-viewed talk show on the state-backed Al Jazeera television station.

Both Egypt and Qatar are members of Interpol.