Sharm el-Sheik bombings suspect mastermind detained

Egyptian police have detained a suspected mastermind behind last month's deadly attacks in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, an Interior Ministry official said Friday.

Hassan el-Arishi was arrested late Thursday at a house in the northern Sinai Peninsula, the official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Other suspects detained since the three July 23 bombings that killed at least 64 people have identified el-Arishi as one of the masterminds who also helped carry out the attacks, the official said.

El-Arishi had been using identity documents belonging to a Nile Delta farmer, the official added. The suspect's family is being questioned.

No other details were provided, reports the AP.