Ruling National Democratic Party voted 3 November to retain Hosni Mubarak as party leader for further 5 years. In one of several changes to party structure, NDP created 45-strong higher committee to select party candidate for 2011 elections; senior NDP members allegedly backing Mubarak’s son Gamal. Leaked draft law on judicial system criticised by independent judges, who claim provisions further reduce judiciary’s independence and remove impartiality protections. 2 police officers jailed for 3 years 5 November for torturing detainee in January 2006. Blogger serving 4-year sentence for insulting president and Islam allegedly beaten in prison. Muslim Brotherhood arrests continued, with at least 47 detained after police raids 20, 27 November.

Tensions between Bedouin tribes and security forces in Sinai continued; rioters, reportedly protesting police failure to halt inter-tribal violence, destroyed al-Arish office of ruling National Democratic Party 7 October. Several independent and opposition newspapers held press strike 7 October to protest official intimidation, including series of pending court cases against journalists; trial of editor Ibrahim Issa postponed to 14 November. President of liberal Wafd party and 2 party newspaper journalists sentenced 1-month 29 October, pending appeal. Court ordered release of senior Muslim Brother Essam el-Erian and 9 others detained in August; 13 students affiliated with Brotherhood arrested after alleged clashes with Ain Shams University security personnel 22 October.

Court sentenced 4 newspaper editors to 1-year prison for defamation of President Mubarak 13 September; 1 referred for additional trial for alleging Mubarak health poor. Further 3 journalists sentenced 2 years for damaging “image of justice” 24 September. Police detained 28 after clash between Christians and Muslims in Alexandria 21 September, allegedly over mixed couple. Ayman Hassan, co-defendant in recent trial against leading opposition figure Ayman Nour, found hanged in prison after complaining of mistreatment; as was Muslim Brother Said Abdullah, detained since 1992 without trial. Muslim Brotherhood annual Ramadan dinner blocked by authorities for first time in 20 years. Striking workers, reportedly 27,000, took control of state textile factory in Mahalla al-Kubra 23 September; ended action 29 September after government intervention met many demands.

Police arrested over 75 suspected Muslim Brotherhood members, including 34 prominent leaders for alleged meetings in Alexandria, Al Sharqiya and Giza. Cairo security court gave life sentences to 4 men for involvement in April 2005 Cairo suicide attacks; 4 more given shorter sentences.

21 Muslim Brothers, on vacation in northern town Marsa Matrouh, arrested for planning brotherhood activities 22 July. 23 Egyptian and foreign men, reportedly members of Salafist group, arrested early July: accused of planning attacks, advocating government overthrow. Residents living within 100 metres of Gaza border protested plans to empty area to improve border security 22 July.

Accusations of official intimidation and vote manipulation, and violence, marred elections for a third of seats in Shura council (upper house of parliament). After first round 11 June, which saw at least 400 Muslim Brothers arrested, group accused government of “massacring” democracy; no pro-Brotherhood independents ran in second round 18 June. Ruling National Democratic Party won 84, Tagammu Party 1, and independents 3 seats. 1 killed in polling station clashes in al-Sharqiya province 11 June. U.S. Congress Committee voted to condition $200m of $1.3bn military aid on police and judicial reform, and on halt of weapons smuggling to Gaza. At least 45 Muslim Brother students detained in Alexandria 30 June.

Supreme Administrative Court overturned earlier ruling against presidential order to try 40 Muslim Brothers before military court. At least 87 Brothers reportedly arrested, including 30 in Dakhaliya 22 May, allegedly after group named 2 candidates in province for 11 June elections for upper house of parliament. Total 19 Brothers reported to be running in vote. Around 135 al-Jihad members, active in 1990s, released from prison after renouncing violence. Clashes between Christians and Muslims over church construction next to local mosque injured 10 in Bamha, south of Cairo.

Muslim Brotherhood announced would field 20 candidates in June elections for Shura Council (upper house of parliament). Mass arrests of members continued; 26 April trial of 40 members on terrorism and money laundering charges adjourned to June. State Security Emergency Court sentenced Mohammed el-Attar to 15 years on charges of spying for Israel. Police injured in clashes with hundreds of Bedouin tribesmen attempting to cross Sinai border into Israel. Men believed to be fleeing potential police crackdown on tribesmen protesting 2 Bedouin deaths in earlier police chase.

Constitutional changes approved by parliament on 19 March called into question by low-turnout for 26 March “lightening” referendum. Government said 27% of registered voters turned out, and 76% approved measures; democracy activists cited only 5% turnout. Muslim Brotherhood boycotted poll; rights organisations warned changes billed as reform in fact constitutionally enshrined emergency rule. Series of opposition activist arrests in run-up to vote, including at least 28 Muslim Brothers detained 13-15 March.

40 Muslim Brothers arrested 10 February during protests against Israeli renovation work on Temple Mount/al- Aqsa; further 73, many potential candidates for upcoming parliamentary elections, arrested 15 February. Court cases of 40 Brothers, including senior figure Khayrat al-Shatir, transferred to military courts, first such referrals since 2001. Alexandria court sentenced blogger Abdel Kareem Soliman to 4 years prison for insulting Islam and president.