AFRICA/EGYPT - Copts killed and churches attacked in the riots on January 25

Monday, 26 January 2015

Cairo (Agenzia Fides) - There are at least three Christian Copts - including a 10-year-child - among the victims of the clashes in Cairo and other Egyptian cities on the occasion of the fourth anniversary that caused the end of the long regime of President Hosni Mubarak. Local sources consulted by Agenzia Fides add that, during the riots, shots were fired against the church of St. Raphael the Archangel in Maadi.
While in other urban areas, such as Beni Suef, the security forces closed the streets around the churches to prevent possible attacks by Islamist gangs.
The child who was killed was called Mina Rafaat and was hit by a stray bullet. The official toll released by the Egyptian media speaks of 18 dead and more than fifty wounded. "In large part - confirms to Agenzia Fides Anba Antonios Aziz Mina, Coptic Catholic Bishop of Guizeh - clashes occurred between the police and groups linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, that aim to credit the image of a still destabilized Egypt". (GV) (Agenzia Fides 26/01/2015)


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