By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) - An Egyptian court sentenced two Muslim brothers to life imprisonment for killing Egyptian Christian shopkeeper Ramsis Hermina, an advocacy group announced Tuesday.
Barnabas Fund said the Alexandria Criminal Court made clear that the murder of 47-year old Hermina was done by brothers “known for their hatred and harassment of Christians.”
Under Egyptian law, Nasser and Ali al-Sambo must serve 25 years in prison for the attack on December 10 last year, which also injured two Christian men, including Hermina’s brother.
Ali al-Sambo held Ramsis Hermina while his brother Nasser stabbed him in the abdomen and neck, according to Christians familiar with the situation.
“Nasser and his brothers were known for their religious fanaticism and for their harassment of Christians, especially Christian shopkeepers, in the al-Wardayan district,” said Barnabas Fund.
MORNING ATTACK
“This escalated when Nasser was released from serving time in prison for previous violent behavior. He claimed that Christians testified against him,” the charity told Worthy News.
On the morning of the attack, the brothers’ mother, who was in poor health, reportedly died. Hours later, Nasser and Ali al-Sambo left their home “in a fit of rage,” according to investigators.
Armed with knives, a sword, and clubs, they went to Christian-owned shops, shouting obscenities against Christians and accusing them of causing their mother’s death, Christians recalled.
Hermina heard the shouting and hurried to bring in the household goods on display outside his shop. The brothers caught him and, as Ali held him, Nasser stabbed him in the abdomen and neck,” Barnabas Fund said.
Hermina’s brother Adel, 60, who owns a shop next door, and another shopkeeper, Tareq Fawzy Shenouda, went to help him but failed in their attempts, according to Christians.
BROTHER STABBED
“Adel was stabbed, and Mr. Shenouda was hit on the head with a club and stabbed. The al-Sambo brothers went on to ransack all three of the men’s shops,” added Barnabas Fund, which is supporting Christians in the region.
Ramsis Hermina died from his injuries in hospital. Adel received treatment in hospital and was discharged two days later. Shenouda underwent surgery and was transferred to intensive care.
The harsh sentence comes amid a reported government crackdown on Islamist extremism. Egypt’s constitution names Islam as the religion of state but officially acknowledges Christianity and Judaism.
Egyptian Christians, also known as Copts, comprise roughly 10 percent of the population.
While they still face pressure and hostility, especially in rural areas, some Christians say their situation has somewhat improved in the Muslim-majority country.