Egypt tightens security for 'targeted' Al Baradei

Cairo: Egyptian authorities have assigned a security guard for pro-reform campaigner Mohammad Al Baradei following reports that he faces the threat of assassination over his role in a popular revolt that toppled long-standing president Hosni Mubarak, an independent newspaper said on Monday.

"An army of thugs are tracking down Al Baradei, who is the target of a malacious media campaign worse than the one which targeted him in the Mubarak era," Ali, the brother of Al Baradei, told Al Shorouk.

"My brother can face assassination at any moment," he added. "More security measures should be taken to protect him."

Al Baradei, the former chief of the international nuclear watchdog, was attacked on March 19 when he went to a polling station in a Cairo suburb to vote in a referendum on constitutional changes. He was not hurt in the attack blamed on unidentified thugs.

Egyptian authorities have opened an investigation into the incident. Al Baradei, 68, is a potential contender in the presidential elections expected later this year.

"Over the 20 days, Al Baradei and his supporters have been attacked deliberately three times. We do not know who is behind this campaign," said his brother