Three Egyptian Muslim men -- accused of a drive-by shooting that killed seven people outside a Coptic church -- pleaded not guilty yesterday (February 13, 2010), the International Orthodox Christian News website reports.
Egypt's prosecutor general has charged the three with murder and threatening national security in the January 6 attack on Orthodox Christmas eve, following a church service in the southern town of Nag Hamadi.
The shooting shocked Egypt's Coptic minority and underscored the government's failure to address chronic sectarian strains in a society where religious radicalism is gaining ground. Six Christians and a Muslim guard were killed, and nine other people were wounded.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak promised a quick trial for the three suspects -- all of whom have previous criminal records -- following nationwide protests by Egyptian Christians demanding better police protection. The trial was held in the city of Qena, about 30 miles south of Nag Hamadi. It was continued to March 20.
Christians -- mostly Orthodox Copts -- account for about 10 percent of Egypt's predominantly Muslim population of some 80 million people.
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