Sat, 13 Feb 2010
Nagaa Hamadi, Egypt (Earth Times) - The trial of three suspects charged with shooting Coptic Christians outside a church in the southern Egyptian town of Nagaa Hammadi in January began on Saturday, only to be quickly adjourned until March. The three defendants pleaded not guilty before the emergency security court in Qena city, a human rights organization said.
The three men, all Muslims, were charged with premeditated murder, harming public security, the use of force and violence, and endangering the lives of citizens.
Gunmen opened fire on Christians leaving a Coptic Christmas Eve mass last month in Nagaa Hamadi, 650 kilometres south of Cairo. Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7.
The attack left eight Christians and one Muslim policeman guarding the church dead.
On Saturday, there was heavy security, with everyone entering the court building subjected to two searches. The building was surrounded by anti-riot forces carrying firearms, central security forces, and explosive detection officers, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights said.
The trial was adjourned until March 20 to summon witnesses and to give the injured victims a chance to testify.
The organization said on its website that the trial was adjourned when an Egyptian lawyer asked the court to summon Parliament Speaker Fathi Surur as a witness, based on a press statement by Surur "indicating he knew who instigated the shootings."
The attack led to clashes between police and crowds of Christian residents, causing major damage in the city center. Rioting by angry Muslims also erupted.
According to government figures, Christians account for roughly 10 per cent of Egypt's population, but many Egyptian Christians believe the real figure is higher.
While tensions exist between Egypt's Christian and Muslim populations, actual outbreaks of violence are rare.
Nagaa Hamadi, Egypt (Earth Times) - The trial of three suspects charged with shooting Coptic Christians outside a church in the southern Egyptian town of Nagaa Hammadi in January began on Saturday, only to be quickly adjourned until March. The three defendants pleaded not guilty before the emergency security court in Qena city, a human rights organization said.
The three men, all Muslims, were charged with premeditated murder, harming public security, the use of force and violence, and endangering the lives of citizens.
Gunmen opened fire on Christians leaving a Coptic Christmas Eve mass last month in Nagaa Hamadi, 650 kilometres south of Cairo. Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7.
The attack left eight Christians and one Muslim policeman guarding the church dead.
On Saturday, there was heavy security, with everyone entering the court building subjected to two searches. The building was surrounded by anti-riot forces carrying firearms, central security forces, and explosive detection officers, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights said.
The trial was adjourned until March 20 to summon witnesses and to give the injured victims a chance to testify.
The organization said on its website that the trial was adjourned when an Egyptian lawyer asked the court to summon Parliament Speaker Fathi Surur as a witness, based on a press statement by Surur "indicating he knew who instigated the shootings."
The attack led to clashes between police and crowds of Christian residents, causing major damage in the city center. Rioting by angry Muslims also erupted.
According to government figures, Christians account for roughly 10 per cent of Egypt's population, but many Egyptian Christians believe the real figure is higher.
While tensions exist between Egypt's Christian and Muslim populations, actual outbreaks of violence are rare.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.