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Egypt extends detention of Coptic Christian arrested for fighting for equality and civil rights for Christians

Persecution of Christians in Egypt often takes the form that we see here: harassment not only from lawless mobs, but from legal authorities who should be protecting the nation’s Christians. Rami Kamil was arrested on terrorism-related charges, which is, as this article notes, “outrageous,” but he has no recourse, as the same legal system that is treating him unfairly is the only one to which he can appeal.

Others have suffered even worse. Copts have also been murdered in ongoing sectarian violence.

For previous coverage of the persecution of Christians in Egypt, see here.

“Government Extends Detention for Egyptian Coptic Christian Activist,” by Yunsook Kang, Christianity Daily, February 12, 2020:

Egyptian authorities once again postponed the trial of a Coptic Christian activist convicted of “outrageous charges” in November, according to a persecution watchdog group.

Two months have passed since Cairo’s plainclothes police raided the home of Christian activist Rami Kamil in the early morning hours. He was arrested and reportedly charged with joining a terrorist group and spreading false information.

However, supporters argue that Kamil was targeted because of his advocacy of human rights and religious freedom. Kamil is a member of the Maspero Youth Union, an activist group that fights for equality and civil rights for the Coptic community. He also wrote about the abuses Christians suffered in Egypt.

The Christian Solidarity Worldwide(CSW) reported that Kamil was scheduled to appear at the Supreme State Security Prosecution(SSSP) on Jan. 19, but on the day of the hearing, he learned that the Interior Ministry did not bring Kamil to the SSSP Office from Tora Prison.

According to CSW, it is not the first time that a government ministry has failed to move Kamil from prison to hearing, estimating it is aimed at prolonging legal proceedings against Kamil and increasing psychological pressure.

In response, CSW believes there are several “procedural unlawfulness” that the detention has been extended again amid a situation where it is not even certain when the next hearing is scheduled, even though Kamil has not been formally charged with criminal charges….

Meanwhile, Egypt ranks number 16 on the World Watch List, according to the Open Doors USA.

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