Two convicted for attacking Coptic sit-in in Egypt, 16 found not guilty

Two convicted for attacking Coptic sit-in in Egypt, 16 found not guilty

2011-06-05 21:43:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

CAIRO (BNO NEWS) -- An Egyptian court convicted two people for attacking a Coptic sit-in in Cairo last month, while 16 suspects were found not guilty, Ahram Online reported on Sunday.

The Cairo court gave a verdict of not guilty to 16 suspects facing accusations related to last month's attacks on the Coptic sit-in, which was staged in front of the state radio and television building, known as Maspero. According to reports from the official state media agency, MENA, another two men were convicted and each sentenced to two years in jail with labour, but were granted bail.

The 18 men were accused of terrorizing and threatening peaceful citizens as well as damaging public property.

The Christian sit-in began after 12 people were killed on 8 May after hundreds of conservative Islamists known as salafists demanded the release of a Copt who converted to Islam and was allegedly locked in the church. Abeer Talaat turned herself in to the military council seeking protection days after.

On 14 May, a group of unidentified men attacked the people participating in the sit-in, using firearms, knives, stones and ‎Molotov cocktails. At least 78 people were wounded.

The protesters decided to end their sit-in five days later after authorities agreed to open three churches. Copts have faced discrimination, even on governmental levels, as their churches are sometimes closed, or have to get special permits for even minor renovations, whereas Mosques don't.

The country's ruling military council, under pressure to end sectarian tensions, has ordered new laws to be drafted that criminalize sectarian violence and ease restrictions on building churches.

Sectarian clashes between Muslims and Christian Copts have increased in the past year. There are around 8 million Christian Copts in Egypt, which represent about 10 percent of the population.

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