APPREHENDED
- Full name: Magdi Mohammed Ibrahim al-Shir
- Pseudonym: N/a
- Alternatives: Magdi Fonia
- Location: Egypt
- Affiliation: Helwan Brigades [KH]
Magdi Fonia (º1980) is an Islamist and former furniture salesman from Helwan. He joined the Muslim Brotherhood following the 2011 Egyptian Revolution and later became an activist for the Freedom and Justice Party [JFP].1 In the summer of 2013, Fonia took part in protests by supporters of the Brotherhood after the army had deposed FJP president Mohammed Morsi.2 He later set up an informal armed group that defended Islamist demonstrators.3
In May 2014, Fonia linked up with Ayman Ghani to establish the Helwan Brigades [KH; Kataeb Helwan].4 He became the outfit’s commander and coordinated its operations, including the Jul. 02 attacks on police checkpoints and the Aug. 14 killing of an off-duty policeman.5 Hours after the Aug. 14 incident, Fonia threatened further attacks against the security forces in a video statement.6
Police forces arrested Fonia on Aug. 24, 2014 during a raid on an apartment.7 At the time of his arrest, he was preparing bomb attacks against the security forces.8
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