International
Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on December 10, 2020, three
extremists attacked Coptic Christians living in Alexandria (al-Wardyan
district), Egypt. This resulted in the murder of one Christian man, the
injuries of two, and significant damage to three Christian shops.
A relative of the victim explained about the attack’s instigator, “The
extremist was in jail because of so many cases. Usually he was
bothering Copts and bullying them so much. His mother was sick and she
died on the night of December 10. He left his mother’s body, revealed
his swords, and attacked three Coptic shops. He broke the goods and
insulted the Copts. Then he slaughtered one Coptic man named Ramsis
Bouls Hermina, stabbed his brother named Adel, then attacked a clothes
shop owned by Tarek Fawzi Shenouda.”
Ramsis died as a
result of the injury to his neck. Adel and Tarek both received treatment
in the hospital. The Bishop of the West Alexandria Churches further stated, “Ramsis
Bouls Hermina, owner of a plastic shop, was injured in his neck and
stabbed in his left side of his belly. He was moved to the hospital and
then died there. Adel Bouls Hermina, owner of an accessories shop, was
tied by one of thugs and another stabbed him in his left side of his
belly. Adel was moved to the hospital and is still alive. Tarek Fawzi
Shenouda, owner of a clothes shop, was hit by thugs with a club weapon
and stabbed in his chest near the heart. He was moved to the hospital
and is still alive.”
Nasser Ahmed Muhammed, who goes by the name al-Sambo, and his two brothers, Ali and Anwar, instigated the
attack. They have a history of frequent disputes with the Christian
shop owners on their street. Sambo has a criminal record for thuggery
and escalated his harassment of Christian shop owners following his
parole, believing that they testified against him. When the mother of
the three died on December 10, they blamed the Christians and carried
out the attack.
Although arrests were made, local Christians
have expressed fear that the extremists will be declared mentally ill
and thus not receive the full punishment according to the law. This fear
is based on an established pattern of Egypt using claims of mental
illness to reduce the penalties of those who attack Christians. While
acts of violence against Christians are commonplace in Egypt, it is
noteworthy that this incident occurred in Alexandria, where sectarian
tensions are normally subtler in comparison to Upper Egypt.
Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “The
Christian community in Egypt is not okay, despite messaging from the
authorities to the contrary. This tragedy not only shows the dangers
Christians must navigate in Egyptian society, but also the hopelessness
among Christians that help will come in the form of justice. Persecution
is more than violent cases; it is also about how the authorities
respond to these injustices. We mourn with the families of the victims,
but also join with the voices of the broader community in asking the
authorities: When will Christians in Egypt be equally protected under
the law?”
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
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