In a solemn scene, hundreds of the family and friends of the young Copt Andrew Samir Mehany Kolta gathered Monday 12 February in the church of the Holy Virgin and St Joseph in Smouha, Alexandria, for Andrew Kolta’s funeral service. The church decorated with flowers and pictures of Kolta whose coffin was carried by friends in the funeral procession up to the church’s sanctuary. Anba Pavli, General Bishop of Montazah, presided over the service in which a number of clergy participated. Present to pay their last respects were also the head of the Alexandria Pharmacists’ Syndicate and members of the syndicate.
In his sermon, Anba Pavli talked about of how evil takes hold of the world, and how it can grip a person’s mind and deeds. What happened to Andrew, he said, is an example of evil that makes killers out of mwn and women. This, he said, goes against God’s commandments of good, love and peace; rather than evil, violence and murder.
Kolta’s mother, Mona Shafiq Rizq praised the efforts made by Minister of Immigration and Egyptians Abroad, Nabila Makram who, through collaboration with the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, facilitated the procedure of bringing the body of her son home for burial.
The 28-year-old Kolta, an Egyptian pharmacist from Alexandria, was found shot next to the parking lot of an apartment building on the evening of Sunday 4 February. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died.
Police said that Dwayne Stephen Commock, 18, Celeste Maureen Long, 21, and Shamar Terrence Hamm, 22, were arrested and charged with first and second-degree murder of Kolta in an armed robbery incident.
In Alexandria, Egypt, news of the death of their son was received by his family with shock, disbelief, and immeasurable grief.
Dr Kolta, overcome with grief, called for help of the Egyptian authorities to speedily bring back home his son’s body for burial. The body was flown home and arrived on Sunday 11 February, but was detained till after-death procedures were completed and all necessary documents and burial permit issued.
For full story on Kolta’s murder:
Watani International
13 February 2018