Six Copts killed outside church in south Egypt

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Six Copts killed outside church in south Egypt

 

Six Copts killed outside church in south Egypt
Christian Copts, police clash in southern Egypt

 
Sectarian violence in Egypt is rare but religious disputes occasionally erupt

 
 

CAIRO (Agencies)

Clashes broke out Thursday in southern Egypt between more than 2,000 Christian Copts and police after the Christmas Eve killing of six Copts in a drive-by shooting, police officials said.

The violence broke out in the southern town of Nagaa Hammadi where a policeman was also killed and six Copts wounded Wednesday when three men in a car opened fire on Christmas eve shoppers in the centre of town, they said.

The attack was staged at midnight on the Coptic Christmas eve. The Copts were leaving Mary Gergis Church in the city of Nagaa Hamady after the Christmas eve service when a dark car pulled up in front of the building and unknown assailants opened fire. Two Muslims passing the church were also injured, security sources said.

The attack was suspected as retaliation for the rape of Muslim girl by Christian man in same city, Egypt Interior Ministry said.

Coptic Christians in Egypt celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7.Christians account for about 10 percent of Egypt's majority-Muslim population of roughly 80 million. Sectarian violence is rare, but religious disputes over issues including land or women occasionally erupt.

Nagaa Hamady is about 60 km (40 miles) from Luxor, the biggest city in the relatively underdeveloped south of the country. Security around churches is usually increased around Christmas and other religious holidays to prevent sectarian violence.

Medical sources at Qena General Hospital said two of the 10 were critically injured. All had gunshot wounds.


 

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