In Egypt, Christians who were victims of an attack were forced to withdraw their complaints

A scandal has erupted in Egypt’s Minya province over the actions of local law enforcement authorities toward the Coptic community. Police detained four Christians after a mob of radical Muslims attacked their house of worship, according to The Christian Post.

The incident occurred in the village of Tal al-Qibliya, where a group of local residents pelted the building with stones while hurling religiously motivated insults. During the attack, Father Paul Kamal’s car was damaged, and several parishioners were injured. Despite the fact that the believers were the targets of the aggression, the police detained the injured Christians.

Those detained were held in custody for two days. Their release was contingent on the authorities’ categorical demand that they withdraw all official claims against the participants in the riot. The human rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide has already condemned these actions, calling them “a deplorable manifestation of inequality before the law.” According to the organization’s director, Mervin Thomas, the police not only failed to prevent the violence by ignoring the priest’s warnings about possible provocations, but also effectively ensured the extremists’ impunity by forcing the victims to forgo justice.