CEOAFRICA learnt that Egyptian authorities have arrested and detained senior Muslim Brotherhood leader, Essam el-Erian early on Wednesday.

According to source, he was arrested at an apartment in the New Cairo area and taken to an undisclosed location.

 Mr Erian was expected to stand trial next week along with Mr Morsi and a dozen other officials.

Reports said that Prosecutors has ordered his arrest since July, after the ousting of President Mohammed Morsi.

Mr Erian is also vice chairman of the Freedom and Justice Party, the Brotherhood's political wing. The arrest is the latest move in a government crackdown against the Islamist movement which is now banned.

 Mr Morsi is due to stand trial on 4 November, charged with inciting murder and violence in connection with clashes outside the presidential palace in December 2012.