Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

One dies in Copt-Muslim clash in Cairo

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • One dies in Copt-Muslim clash in Cairo

    One dies in Copt-Muslim clash in Cairo

    The clashes began after the Copts blocked a highway, angering Muslims, witnesses say
    Continue reading the main story

    At least one person has died in clashes between Coptic Christians and Muslims in Cairo, Egyptian officials say.

    Reports say the victim was a Coptic Christian. Fifteen people were injured.
    The violence began during a protest by Copts against last week's burning of a church. Witnesses say the army fired into the air to disperse the crowds.

    The clashes come two months after a suicide bomber killed 23 people at a Coptic church in Alexandria.

    In January, an Egyptian man was sentenced to death for shooting dead six Copts and a Muslim policeman in Naga Hamady, southern Egypt.

    'Harassment'

    Tuesday's violence erupted when Coptic protesters blocked a highway in the Egyptian capital, protesting against the burning of the church in the province of Helwan.

    The rally angered Muslims who wanted to pass through.
    Witnesses say people from both sides then began throwing stones until the army intervened.

    The person who died in the clashes was a Coptic Christian, a hospital official in Cairo was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
    Copts - who make up about 10% of Egypt's population - have often complained of harassment and discrimination, and argue that attacks on them go unpunished or result in light sentences.

    The government in the predominantly Muslim country denies discriminating against Copts.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12683568
Working...
X