Egypt arrests Christian activists

Friday, 10 August 2007 10:02

Cairo, Aug. 10, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Egyptian state security agents have arrested 2 Christian community leaders in Cairo, Christian Solidarity International (CSI) reports, saying that the arrests "are part of Egypt's alarming and growing trend of state-sponsored persecution of Christians."

Adel Fawzy Faltas and Peter Ezzat Mounir-- members of the Canadian-based Middle East Christian Association (MECA)-- were being held at police headquarters in Cairo, CSI reported. Lawyers have been unable to contact them, and their supporters fear that they will be tortured.

Although no charges have yet been brought against the two Christians, they are reportedly accused of insulting Islam. They were arrested shortly after MECA filed a lawsuit against Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and other members of the Egyptian government on behalf of victims of the anti-Christian al-Kosheh riots of 2000.