Egypt Shuts Down 12 More Channels; Rounds Up Brothers

Egypt's press crackdown is continuing now that the date of the Parliamentary elections is set. The latest move: shutting down another 12 private satellite channels for "license violations."

In related news, the Muslim Brotherhood is reporting continuing arrests of members since announcing that it would contest about 30% of the seats in the elections. About 150 brotherz hazve been arrested, though about half were promptly released; such detention is a common tactic forthe government to send a warning to the Brotrherhood, which is the largest opposition bloc in the outgoing Parliament. (Its deputies stand as independents and the Brotherhood is technically banned.) Here's an interview with the head of the Brotherhood's Parliamentary bloc.

The decision by the Brotherhood not to boycott the elections almost guarantees additional tensions in the runup.

There is already concern about possible violence at the local level as the electioons approach. Many local races are genuine contests, and feelings tend to run high.