The Muslim Brotherhood visits the houses of the Copts and force them to exonerate the group for recent violence. Those who do not sign will be killed after the army leaves. Since 18 September last the city which has been a refuge for thousands of extremists, is under military curfew.

Delga (AsiaNews) - The Copts of Delga (Upper Egypt) are still suffering the Islamists persecution despite the presence of the army and police. Witnesses say that "the Muslim Brotherhood are going door to door to Christian homes in front of police, demanding their silence. Whoever speaks will die."

According Anba Aghabious, a Delga priest, the Muslim Brotherhood blames the Christians for bringing the army in the city: "We still live in a climate of terror."

Interviewed by Mina Thabet, founder of the Maspero Youth Union, a witness explained that "the Islamists are forcing people to sign documents that state they have not been subjected to any attack by extremists. If they do not sign, the Muslim Brotherhood will destroy their homes once the army leaves the city. "

On 14 August, the Islamists have taken advantage of the chaos began with the removal of the pro-Morsi sit-in in Cairo to occupy Delga and impose Sharia law on the entire population. The Muslim Brotherhood burned at least 62 homes and forced half the population to flee out of the governorate of Minya. Many of the people are now living on the street or are being hosted by other Christian and Muslim families.

Today, police announced that the mastermind behind the "terrorism" against Christians in Minya and Delga is Abdel Maged, historical leader of the al-Jamaa Islamya, who fled to Upper Egypt on July 3 after Mohamed Morsi was ousted. (S.C.)

 

• EGYPT
• MINYA
• DELGA
• ISLAMISTS
• MUSLIM
• BROTHERHOOD
• CHRISTIAN
• COPT
• PERSECUTION