Cairo, Egypt - The Egyptian government has imposed a news blackout on reporting the investigation into the deadly New Year's Eve church bombing in Alexandria, state-run newspapers reported Tuesday.
The blanket ban, issued by Attorney General Abdel-Maguid Mahmoud, applies to both local and international media working in Egypt.
The ban prohibits media from reporting on any developments of the government's investigation into the attack, which killed 23 people and injured nearly 100.
"It is necessary that investigations into the Two Saints Church bombing be confidential," according to the warning issued by the prosecutor's office.
Prior to the media ban, the Ministry of Interior said they arrested 26-year-old Egyptian Ahmed Lotfy. The ministry said he had traveled to the Gaza Strip and was instructed by militants there to help plan the attack.
On Sunday, Egypt said it had "conclusive evidence" that the Palestinian group Army of Islam was behind the deadly bombing of the Coptic church in Alexandria.
Several members of the group denied Egypt's accusations. However, Abu Ayham al-Maqdesi, a member of the Army of Islam, told the German Press Agency dpa in Gaza that he "cannot confirm or deny our involvement in the incident."