Release International

Campaigners from ten human rights organisations have joined Christians in Cairo protesting against a spate of brutal attacks on two Coptic villages.

The two demonstrations held so far outside the Attorney General's office have called for urgent action against a gang 'terrorising' Copts in Upper Egypt with rape, kidnap and extortion.

Since late-January, Copts in the villages of Badraman and Nazlet Badraman, Minya province, have reportedly suffered sustained attacks by a 200-strong gang of thugs who are specifically targeting Christians.

The first violent attack on a Coptic family was on January 28. The family reported the assault to police but later withdrew their allegations after death threats from the gang.

On January 29, the gang leader raped two Coptic women, threatening to kill their children if they took the matter to the police. A 30-year-old man and a 12-year-old boy were later kidnapped; their families paid ransoms of about £20,000 and £50,000 respectively to secure their release. The gang has also reportedly imposed a night-time curfew on Copts.

Protester Nader Shoukry told the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA), '(Their leader) is practising injustice and tyranny only against the Copts in the villages. He walks between Christian homes, carrying a weapon on his shoulder.'

Copts from the village are dismayed that the police and army have not taken more decisive steps to detain the gang and its leader. AINA reports that police stormed Badraman village last Sunday but the gang had fled following a tip-off. The police withdrew, the gang returned and the villagers were left 'at the mercy of a furious gang leader'. The thugs have continued their assaults since Sunday.

Christians in Egypt generally remain apprehensive about who or what will fill the political void in September's presidential election.

Tensions between Muslims and Christians remain high in some areas. Islamist extremists destroyed the Church of St Mina and St George in Soul, near Cairo, last month (Prayer Alert, March 11, 2011). Violent clashes between Christians and Muslims in Mokattam village in Cairo in response to the attack on Soul left up to about nine Christians dead, AINA reports.

(Sources: Assyrian International News Agency, International Christian Concern)

• Pray that the authorities will take immediate and decisive action to apprehend gang members accused of persecuting Copts in villages in Minya province.
• Continue to pray for Christians in Egypt in these uncertain days. Ask God to fill them with His peace and make them a channel for His love and grace.

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