According to Mina Thabet, founder of the People’s Initiative Party, cases of Coptic abduction and ransoming against huge sums of money are on the rise in the Minya Governorate of Upper Egypt—proving to be a lucrative “business” for “thugs and terrorists” of the Islamic persuasion in an area that is “at an all-time low and ridden with corruption.”
Thabet says that since January 25 2011, the date of Egypt’s original “Arab Spring,” these kidnappings have cost the Copts over 120 million Egyptian pounds.
The human rights activist enumerated Coptic abduction cases in Minya, including the last one—a civil servant and father of three, whose family had failed to come up with the asked ransom.
According to Thabet, “incomprehensible laxity” concerning the safety of Coptic minorities prevails, making them vulnerable to profit-making kidnappings.
Michael Copeland says
The “incomprehensible laxity” of the authorities is comprehensible after all: the area is “ridden with corruption”. As in Pakistan, it is an example of what happens under Islam.
Sam says
Ransom happens every where in Egypt not just to rich Copts, rich Muslims also get kidnapped in Egypt for ransom 2 weeks ago 5 men go life sentences for kidnapping a muslim prosecutor for 1 million pounds. In Egypt your rich in a developing country like Egypt good target regardles who you are.
Salah says
You’re right, Sam. This has been going on for decades now, against both Christians and Muslims. But things are changing for the better.
“Egypt moved up 20 ranks in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Egypt ranked 94th in this year’s report, which was released on 3 December, compared to the 114th place last year.”
https://newhub.shafaqna.com/EN/EG/8395982
“Masoud Karimi, Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Cairo, said that the national plan to combat corruption emphasizes the Egyptian governments commitment to fight corruption, …”
http://cementegypt.com/en/category-cemen-news/entry-Representative-of-the-United-Nations-The-Egyptian-government-has-confirmed-its-commitment-to-the-fight-against-corruption.html
Marken says
To be clear, are you inferring Copts also kidnap Muslims for ransom, or Copts kidnap Copts also? Or just that Muslims kidnap Copts and Muslims?
You also mentioned Muslims being prosecuted for kidnapping Muslims and given life sentences. Are you aware of any Muslims given life sentences for kidnapping Copts?
Salah says
“In Cairo, three people were sentenced to life in prison and two more face seven years’ incarceration for their part in terrorizing their fellow Egyptians and killing four Copts in 2010”
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:1V09ao9SASkJ:www.khouse.org/enews_article/2014/2257/print/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
Marken says
That does answer my last question anyway, a recent and rare occurrence (per article) of sentencing justice for the Copts. Certainly a momentary flicker of optimism that could grow If the sentences are carried out and if Egypt continues to scrape its plate of Islam. Isn’t it as likely over time we’ll read a story of early release or vengeance against other Copts because of the sentences or of the violent death of the prosecutor or judge?
mortimer says
ISLAMIC EXTORTION RACKET…run by the Muslim Brotherhood with pay offs to the Egyptian police.