The prosecution of Etfeeh, is investigating the attack against the church of al-Amir Tadros in the village of Kafr al-Wassleen in Etfeeh, Giza, which was waged by the Muslim villagers on Friday 22 December.
Following Friday noon prayers, hundreds of men gathered in front of the small building which is has been used by the village Copts as a de-facto church for some 15 years. The Muslim mobsters screamed the Islamic chant of Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), and hostile cries that called for bringing the church down. They broke into the building, injuring three Copts who worked there, destroying everything inside, and throwing out the Bibles and religious objects. The Coptic villagers claim that the attack came in the wake of a rumour circulated in the village that they intended to install a bell in their church.
The police arrived, dispersed the assailants and secured the area. The injured: Eid Attiya Ibrahim, Nadi Eid Attiya, and Samir Saad Ibrahim, were moved to Etfeeh Hospital.
The police caught 28 men who are being investigated on charges of mobbing, beating, using religion to stoke sectarian sedition, and breaking into and destroying the property of others.
The Copts’ lawyer, Saad Mounir, said that there are have been three claims against the attackers: one for the assault against the victims; another for the destruction caused to the church and a Copt-owned house; and a third against the civil violations of mobbing and breaking into others’ property. He said the victims insist on their legal rights, and do not intend to consider any out-of-court settlement.
Watani International
24 December 2017