militants who also attacked Christian villages, BosNewsLife learned Thursday, March 22.
The US-based American Coptic Union (ACU) said Atta Attia and his son Magdy, were gunned down in front of their Cairo home March 9 by a group of Muslims "who were waiting to murder them."
The local prosecutor investigating the case allegedly did not press charges against the Muslim attackers, "but rather accused Attia’s second son, Essmat, of carrying a weapon, even though no weapon was found," the ACU said.
"As usual, the Egyptian authorities sought to protect the perpetrators and punish the victims." The reported incident came shortly after Muslim militants reportedly raided the Christian village of Armant in Egypt’s Qina province.
HOMES DESTROYED
During the February 22 attack in the village,” many homes and businesses belonging to Christians were set on fire and destroyed," the ACU said.
The group added that Christian villages "have become the target of systematic persecution and violence by the Egyptian authorities," who allegedly cooperate with Muslim hardliners.
Egypt’s government has however said it does not allow Muslim extremism. ACU said it regretted that the United States "has turned a blind eye to Coptic Christians, as they continue to suffer human rights abuses under Egypt’s regime."
The group said that because of "the escalating violence" it has asked the US Congress "to intervene on behalf of those victimized, and impose economic sanctions against Egypt."
"APPEASING EGYPT"
It said that the current US foreign policy "appeases" Egypt’s "regime actions against Coptic Christians." The administration of President George W. Bush has been seeking allies in what it sees as a global war against terrorism, following the September 11 attacks.
ACU cautioned however that the alleged compromises regarding human rights "will inevitably endanger America’s interests in Egypt and the Middle East."
The group warned that "the eventual eradication of Coptic Christians in Egypt will cause the US to lose its political leverage in the region."
It was not immediately clear when and if the US Congress would discuss the anti-Christian violence in Egypt.
