Muslim scholar removed from Interpol's wanted list

By Ahmed Yusuf

DOHA

Interpol has removed Yousef al-Qaradawi, head of the Doha-based International Union of Muslim Scholars, from its “wanted” list.

A source from al-Qaradawi's office confirmed receiving an official notification from the Interpol of lifting the scholar's name from the list, describing the motion as a "positive step".

Interpol removed "red notice" for al-Qaradawi on Nov. 30 and dropped arrest warrants issued by the Iraqi and Egyptian authorities.

The Egyptian authorities had accused al-Qaradawi of having perpetrated a range of crimes -- including murder and theft -- after Egypt’s 2013 military coup, prompting Interpol to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Al-Qaradawi is known for being a vocal critic of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, who -- as defense minister -- led the 2013 coup, which ousted Egypt's first freely elected president, Mohamed Morsi.

Since the coup, during which hundreds were killed, Interpol has issued arrest warrants for several leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood -- of which Morsi was a leading member -- at Cairo’s request.