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Muslim Brotherhood and extremism in Austria; a report by Mena Research Center

Mena Research Center conducted a report to delve into the legal processing of the raids against sympathizers of the Muslim Brotherhood, known in Austria as “Operation Luxor.”
The name, Operation Luxor, came when special police forces broke into the private apartments of suspected sympathizers of the extremist Muslim Brotherhood in many cities in the Alpine Republic, at the end of 2020, shortly after the November 1 terrorist attack in Vienna.
In the study, Michael Laubsch said the allegation at the time: The Islamist Muslim Brotherhood in Austria was said to have planned attacks and laundered funds together with Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization.
The leading public prosecutor in the case is Johannes Winklhofer, he led the investigations into suspected extremists from the Muslim Brotherhood scene and is now also representing the Republic of Austria in the judicial review of “Operation Luxor”, the study said.
Winklhofer was branded randed as a right-wing conservative populist in the robes of the judiciary, a public prosecutor who makes no secret of his anti-Muslim sentiments, not only by the accused, but also by people who keep throwing the keyword “Islamophobia” into the ring of public debate.

However, the study confirmed that Winklhofer was known in the past for his investigations into the identitarian movement from the extreme right-wing scene, so he certainly cannot be said to have political right affiliation.
But that doesn’t mean, according to the study, there were no setbacks for the public prosecutor’s office in the investigations against the Muslim Brotherhood in Austria.
How the Muslim Brotherhood threatens Europe's security
In some cases, it said, the higher regional court in Graz declared the raids illegal, and it was also questioned whether every Muslim Brotherhood can automatically be considered a terrorist, the court questions the fundamental legality of the investigations and dismissed two experts because of the appearance of bias.
The whistleblower who testified to the public prosecutor’s office that the suspects belonged to an extremist group has lost in the first instance in a civil court. According to the court, the man could not provide any evidence, only rumors for his allegations.
He has been sentenced to a fine of several thousand euros for defamation against two suspects.
Witnesses for the defense of the accused were also not believed, including Mouhanad Khorchide, head of the scientific advisory board of the Austrian Documentation Center for Political Islam.
Egypt celebrates anniversary of Muslim Brotherhood overthrow
According to the study, it should first be noted that the so-called “Operation Luxor” was politically exploited at the latest with the Vienna terror night of November 1, 2020.
The results so far in relation to “Operation Luxor” show organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood do not act under the banner of their movement, they are not clearly identified.
Their strategy is recorded in many internal papers by their chief ideologues. This is not only for tactical reasons, how to gain influence most effectively, with politicians, governments, civil society organizations. Rather, it is also a successful measure to stand up to the rule of law when it wants to take action.
German intelligence reveals the Muslim Brotherhood funding sources
As for the classification of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization in Austria, Luebsch states that since there is no official organization in the name of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe, as described above, it cannot be classified as terrorist either.
However, Islamic associations and people in Europe who clearly support and propagate the ideology of political Islam are also known.
He said that the security organs, but also politics, must finally become active here, apply existing laws correctly and sustainably in order to curb political Islam in Europe.
A rivalry splits the Muslim Brotherhood’s Gerontocracy
He went on saying that this does not primarily require the suspicion of terrorism. Associations that oppose the basic European order, against the national constitutions, that call for a greater European caliphate with Sharia as the sole legal system, should be banned.
To him, it is just as easy with the existing laws to cut off money flows from dubious sources: extremists with money are more dangerous than those without money!
If police investigations show that an organization of political Islam is connected to terrorist groups, it should also be banned and those responsible must be held accountable, he concluded.
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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