Arrested Priest Denies Violence Charges

Egypt’s state security prosecutors filed attempted murder charges against a Coptic village priest, accusing him of provoking the violence that killed 21 Christians in Al-Kosheh village during the New Year weekend (CT, Feb. 7, p. 31).

Father Gabriel Abdul Masih, 35, was booked in a Cairo court in February on charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, leading a mob attack, looting and damaging property, and possession of unlicensed weapons and ammunition.

After 10 hours of interrogations culminating in formal criminal charges, the priest was released on bail and allowed to return to his parish at the Angel Michael Church in Al-Kosheh.

According to an article in the London-based Al Hayat newspaper, Prosecutor General Hisham Saraya’s order to arrest was based on testimony taken from Muslims in Awlad Toq, a village adjacent to Al-Kosheh.

“It never happened that I fired a gun,” Gabriel told an Egyptian newspaper. “I am a religious man, not a terrorist.”

According to government figures, 59 suspects have been ordered arrested for their alleged role in the rampage. Officials say 19 of those in custody are Muslims and two are Christians. Local church sources told Compass that 21 Copts were known to be under arrest, 15 detained in Al-Kosheh and another six arrested in Cairo.

Copyright © 2000 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Also in this issue

Islam, U.S.A.: God-fearing Muslims from every corner of the earth are moving into American neighborhoods. Are we ready to welcome them and tell them the truth about Jesus?

Cover Story

Islam, U.S.A.

Roadside Memorials Spark Religious Freedom Dispute

In Print:The Bad Old Days?

The Back Page | Philip Yancey:My To-Be List

Marriage: Californians keep marriage straight

Law: Scouts defend no-homosexuals policy

Updates

Saving Conservatives’ Honor

People: North America

Worship: Networking Against Poverty

In Summary:Popular Apologetics

Congress: Bigotry Alleged in Chaplaincy Choice

Smaller is Better?

Sudan: Mixing Oil and Blood

Briefs: The World

India: Missionary's killer arrested

Austria: Voters not Nazis, churches say

Africa: A Windup Gospel and Recycled Studios

God Ble$$ America

Wire Story

Fundraising: 'Flamingoed' for Missions

Carl Ellis on How Islam Is Winning Black America

The Company of Sinners

Columbine's Tortuous Road to Healing

The Church at the Top of the World

The Benefit of the Doubt

Answering Islam’s Questions

Wire Story

Court OKs Good Friday Holiday

Confronting Sudan

Good Friday

Easter Sunday

A Little Wine for the Soul?

Popular Culture:The Clay Cries Out

Your World:Sex and Saints

Liberator of the West

View issue

Our Latest

The Bulletin

NYC Mayoral Race, Trump Softens to Ukraine, and Can Horror Films Edify?

Mamdani leads NYC mayoral race, Trump-Putin relationship cools, and why horror movies might help you cope in a horrible world.

The Bigfoot and UFOs Podcast Introducing Listeners to Christ

“We want to make a space where people can scratch an itch about the weird stuff they’ve encountered, but our heart for this is for people to encounter God.”

News

What Would a Liberal Democracy in Lebanon Look Like?

An interfaith group created a Youth Mock Parliament to imagine a nonsectarian government.

News

Brazilian Evangelicals See God at Work Among the Working Class

Small Pentecostal churches across poor peripheral neighborhoods fuel Protestant growth nationwide.

Analysis

‘Drug Boat’ Strikes Prompt Questions about Human Dignity, Executive Power

When the president exercises lethal force without congressional authority, we all lose.

Wire Story

Top ACNA Leader Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations

Following a string of scandals, the accusations against Archbishop Steve Wood come amid plans for the denomination to overhaul its abuse response.

The Russell Moore Show

 Listener Question: Should Communion Be Open to All Believers?

Russell takes a listener’s question about church membership and the Communion table.

Anti-Fragile Faith in Chaotic Times

Slow Theology highlights how a long obedience in the same direction grows.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube