Egyptian gunmen planned to assassinate Coptic bishop

January 08, 2010

Gunmen who killed 7 Egyptian Christians on January 6 were apparently aiming to assassinate the Coptic Bishop Anba Kirollos. The shooting of worshippers at a Coptic church in Nag Hammadi, where Coptic Christians were preparing to celebrate Christmas according to the Orthodox liturgical calendar, apparently began when the would-be assassins were unable to reach the bishop. Bishop Kirollos had received several death threats.

At the funeral of the shooting victims, Coptic parishioners threw stones at police. Christians have bitterly complained that officials failed to protect them from Islamic extremists.

 

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Further information:

• Coptic bishop real target in Christmas attack in Egypt (AsiaNews)
• Egypt: 6 Christians killed in drive-by shooting at church (CWN 1/07)