An Egyptian court has placed ex-football star Mohamed Aboutrika to a terror list for his alleged links with the banned Muslim Brotherhood group, According to his lawyer.
The government accuses the former Al Ahly star of financing the Brotherhood, which was classified as a terrorist organisation at the end of 2013.
The 38 year old had his assets including shares in a number of companies, seized by the Egyptian authorities in 2015, three years after he had publicly endorsed the presidential of Muslim Brotherhood member Mohamed Morsi.
Morsi went on to become Egypt’s first democratically elected president, only for the army to remove him from power one year later and ban the Brotherhood.
Aboutrika denied any involvement in the Muslim Brotherhood saying the company’s co-owner who was so accused had left the previous year.
His two appeals were rejected, but then the administrative court overturned the verdict in June 2016.
Aboutrika’s lawyer, Mohamed Osman, said the court’s decision was “contrary to the law” and that the retired player “has not been convicted or formally notified of any of the charges against him”.
“We will appeal this decision,” he said, adding that the freeze on Aboutrika’s assets was still in force, despite two court orders that it be lifted.
Aboutrika, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Egyptian players of all time, was chosen Africa Best Player of the Year 4 times in 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2013.
The 38-year-old won two Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt national team and also helped his team Al-Ahly to win five CAF Champions League titles before he retires in 2013.
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