On Wednesday, May 28, 2014, Kyrolous Shawky became the
center of a firestorm. Shawky works for
a shop in Armant, Egypt (outside of Luxor).
Shawky was looking at Facebook on his mobile phone and liked a page
named “Knights of the Cross.” A Muslim
neighbor saw a post from this page and accused Shawky of posting pictures and
quotes that were insulting to Islam.
center of a firestorm. Shawky works for
a shop in Armant, Egypt (outside of Luxor).
Shawky was looking at Facebook on his mobile phone and liked a page
named “Knights of the Cross.” A Muslim
neighbor saw a post from this page and accused Shawky of posting pictures and
quotes that were insulting to Islam.
Muslims in the area rose up and attempted to take revenge on
Shawky. When the police came, they
arrested Shawky instead. He was charged
with blasphemy.
Shawky. When the police came, they
arrested Shawky instead. He was charged
with blasphemy.
“Publications
were distributed demanding the upheaval against Kyrolous,” Rafla Zekry Rafla, the lawyer representing Kyrolous and president
of the Human Rights Commission of the Luxor Bar Association, told ICC. “Many Muslims gathered in the front of
Kyrolous’s home and attempted to storm it to take revenge on him, and they were
chanting slogans against Christians, insulting them, but the police came and
arrested Kyrolous and were able to disperse the gathered angry people,” Rafla said.
were distributed demanding the upheaval against Kyrolous,” Rafla Zekry Rafla, the lawyer representing Kyrolous and president
of the Human Rights Commission of the Luxor Bar Association, told ICC. “Many Muslims gathered in the front of
Kyrolous’s home and attempted to storm it to take revenge on him, and they were
chanting slogans against Christians, insulting them, but the police came and
arrested Kyrolous and were able to disperse the gathered angry people,” Rafla said.
The
violence did not end with his arrest. Early
morning, June 2, a mob gathered to set fire to Christian shops in protest of
the trial. An official reported that he
saw the mob throw gasoline bombs at the shops.
violence did not end with his arrest. Early
morning, June 2, a mob gathered to set fire to Christian shops in protest of
the trial. An official reported that he
saw the mob throw gasoline bombs at the shops.
A
woman who lived on that same street as Shawky told International Christian
Concern that there were fanatics that were going to attack Christian homes but
the moderate Muslims of the village intervened.
She also said that Christians in the village have been prevented from
gathering together to pray (the village does not have a church).
woman who lived on that same street as Shawky told International Christian
Concern that there were fanatics that were going to attack Christian homes but
the moderate Muslims of the village intervened.
She also said that Christians in the village have been prevented from
gathering together to pray (the village does not have a church).
Copts
United claims that six people that were arrested for inciting violence against
the Copts and encouraging the burning of their houses were released.
United claims that six people that were arrested for inciting violence against
the Copts and encouraging the burning of their houses were released.
Safwat
Samaan, a human rights activist, claims that Shawky was tortured during the
investigation and that he had no lawyer present.
Samaan, a human rights activist, claims that Shawky was tortured during the
investigation and that he had no lawyer present.
Shawky’s trial date was June 3, 2014 but has
since been postponed until June 24, 2014.
since been postponed until June 24, 2014.
SOURCES
** Shawky’s name has numerous spellings in English. When searching for news, try multiple versions of spelling… Kyrolos, Kirolo, Kirolous, Kyrolous, Shawky, Shawki
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UPDATE:
I have discovered the actual Penal Code that Kyrolous has been charged under.
Article 98 (f) of the Penal Code, as amended in 2006, stipulates the following:
“Whoever exploits religion in order to promote extremist ideologies by word of mouth, in writing or in any other manner, with a view to stirring up sedition, disparaging or contempt of any divine religion or its adherents, or prejudicing national unity shall be punished with imprisonment between six months and five years or paying a fine of at least 500 Egyptian pounds.”
