In wake of train shooting, Coptic Christians stage protests in Minya

Arabic Edition

Thu, 13/01/2011 - 18:50

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Clashes erupt between Coptic protesters and riot police following the Upper Egypt train shootings, al-Raey al-Saleh hospital, Minya, 11 January, 2011. Amer Ashour abdel Zaher, policeman, has opened fire on group of the train commuters leaving one dead, 5 injured, all of whom were Copts. Shooting incidents occured 11 days after the Alexandria church shooting which left at least 21 dead, more than 70 wounded.

Photographed by Saeed Nafea

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More than 1500 Coptic Christians on Wednesday staged protests in the village of Deir al-Barsh near the Upper Egyptian city of Minya two days after one Copt was killed and five others injured by an off-duty policeman on board a Cairo-bound passenger train.

“The train shooting was even worse than the New Year's Eve church bombing in Alexandria,” said Coptic Bishop Makarios, who was present at the scene. “The church attack was organized, while the train shooting simply reflected the chaotic situation on the Egyptian street.”

In related news, the funeral of the train shooting victim, 71-year-old Fathi Ebeid Ghattas, was held on Wednesday amid tight security. Coptic Pope Shenouda III, who is currently undergoing medical treatment in the US, dispatched three bishops to attend the funeral on his behalf.

Translated from the Arabic Edition.