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In late 1999 and early 2000, 21 Christians in and around the village of al-Kosheh were murdered during Muslim rioting. Ninety-five Muslims (and one Copt, who has since died) were eventually brought up on charges of murder and destroying 65 homes, kiosks, and shops (CT, Feb. 7, 2000, p. 31).

But on February 27, the Criminal Court of Sohag exonerated all but two of the defendants in a retrial. One Muslim defendant was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing a Muslim, and another to three and a half years for manslaughter and assault. A year earlier, in February 2001, the Criminal Court of Sohag sentenced only four of the defendants—not for murder, but for carrying weapons and participating in the riots.

Bishop Anba Wissa, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the state of El-Minya, fears the worst for the future: "If the perpetrators of the murders are allowed to walk free, it will be seen as a green light to kill Christians."

An estimated 5,000 people took part in the riots at al-Kosheh, a village that lies about 270 miles south of Cairo and is 65 percent Christian. All but one of the murdered Christians was Coptic. One in fifteen Egyptians consider themselves members of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Egypt's largest church.

The Sohag judge said the crime was brutal but that the evidence to convict was insufficient. Mamdouh Nakhla, one of the lawyers defending the Christians of al-Kosheh, accused police of "withholding vital evidence."

Likewise Bishop Anba Marcos of Shubra al-Kheima, one of the two bishops who investigated the killings just days afterward, blames the Sohag police for failing to provide the judge with sufficient evidence. "If policemen are not able to do a proper investigation, they should be fired."

Relations between Muslims and Christians in al-Kosheh were peaceful until 1998, but now many Christians there are moving to Cairo. Both sides regularly accuse the other of misdeeds. But Bishop Marcos says the poisoned relations in al-Kosheh have no effect on Muslim-Christian relations elsewhere.

"Relations are generally good," the bishop said. "The number of church buildings doubled between 1971 and today to approximately 1,500. In Cairo there were 100 church buildings added; 20 in Alexandria. In my diocese I have been able to build approximately one church per year in the past few years."

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Christianity Today has extensive coverage of the al-Kosheh riot and trial, including:

Muslims Convicted After Fatal Attack on Copts | But fearful Christians in Upper Egypt say many killers are still at large. (March 3, 2003)

Egypt Acquits All Muslim Murder Suspects | Judge blames Coptic clergy for inciting El-Kosheh hostilities. (Feb. 7, 2001)

Egyptian Court Releases All 89 El-Kosheh Defendants | Muslim murder suspects all set free without bail. (Dec. 12, 2000)

Egypt Jails Christian for Three Years for 'Insulting Islam' | 'Extremely harsh judgement' for El-Kosheh Copt to be appealed. (Aug. 9, 2000)

Egyptian Security Police Threaten, Torture Local Christian | Coptic Orthodox layman targeted for alleged evangelism activities.(July 10, 2000)

Egyptian Court Convicts Christian Villager of Murder | Shaiboub Arsal Given Maximum 15-Year Sentence. (June 9, 2000)

Egyptian Priest Accused of Attempted Murder | Village cleric charged with 'provoking violence' in El-Kosheh (Feb. 11, 2000)

Egypt's Christians seek answers after deadly riots | At least 21 Christians killed in clash with Muslims (Jan. 13, 2000)

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May 2003, Vol. 47, No. 5