Suspects arrested over Egypt Christian pilgrim bus attacks

Islamic militants claimed responsibility for the ambush of the bus that was carrying Coptic Christians to a remote desert monastery in the country.

The assailants arrived in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, opened fire on the bus and then disappeared into the desert.

Human rights charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s (CSW) chief executive Mervyn Thomas said: “We commend the efforts to bring those responsible for the 2nd November attack to justice.

“CSW also welcomes the legalisation of 168 places of worship, which will contribute significantly towards inclusivity and the equality of all citizens.”

Following news of the attack, Archbishop Angaelos, the Coptic Archbishop of London, told Premier: “We pray for those who continue to plan and perpetrate these attacks because it’s only in them seeing the true effects of what they’re doing and looking at those who are mourning – that will change their minds.”

Egypt’s Christians, who account for 10 per cent of the country’s 100 million people, have faced persecution in the Muslim majority country a number of times.

An attack last year on pilgrims heading to the St Samuel the Confessor monastery left nearly 30 people dead.

Mervyn Thomas called on the Egyptian government to prevent such attacks and added: “We call upon the Egyptian authorities to take further steps to ensure that the constitutional rights of all Egyptian citizens…