For defying group’s ban, Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood expels 5 youth members

CAIRO – A senior member of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood says the group expelled five members who launched a separate political party.

Helmi al-Gazar, a senior member of the Brotherhood, said Monday the five were expelled for founding the Egyptian Trend party. He says Brotherhood members are only allowed to join the group’s newly formed Freedom and Justice party.

Among those expelled is Islam Lotfy, a member of a youth coalition that helped force Hosni Mubarak to step down in February after more than two weeks of mass protests.

The Brotherhood, banned for half a century from politics until ouster of Mubarak, is expected to gain votes and possibly even dominate a new parliament.