by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - A mob of six Islamic extremists slaughtered three Coptic Christian brothers in Egypt earlier this month, cutting up and mutilating the bodies in what the killers said was revenge for the death of a relative 70 years ago, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Youssef Youssef Youssef, Afifi Youssef Youssef, and Bushra Youssef Youssef, were murdered in their home village of Ibshadat in the governate of Minya on March 1. The killers came from Jaweer village, and shot the brothers to death before mutilating their bodies.
According to the Youssef family lawyer and others close to the brothers, the victims knew nothing about the Muslim death allegedly being avenged: the death happened when their father was younger, ICC said.
The murderers were reported to have danced during the killings, and their fellow village are understood to have danced and played musical instruments in celebration of the slaughter. Locals also noted that the cutting and mutilation of the bodies resembled an Islamic State (ISIS) murder rather than a typical honor killing. Moreover, the killers were reported to have shouted “Allahu Akbar” or “God is Greater” after the executions.
The killers were apprehended by police and are standing trial for the murders, ICC said.
Egypt ranks 20th on the US Open Doors Watch List 2022 of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.