Egyptian Christians leave jail, still accused of Islam offense

Authorities released six Christian men from jail in Egypt after they were arrested for posting videos allegedly offensive to Islam. The men, aged 17 to 23, still face charges for the post, Alliance Defending Freedom International said Tuesday. The men’s TikTok video, posted earlier this month, included a reenactment from an Egyptian comedy movie. The scene depicted prisoners who were unfamiliar with the Quranic prayers. Days after posting their video, police detained and questioned the men, ADF said. They were held in detention for more than two weeks. The legal organization urged Egyptian officials to drop the charges immediately and protect religious freedom.

In Egypt, officials can legally charge individuals with disdaining and disrespecting Islam, Christianity, or Judaism under the penal code, according to the U.S. Department of State. Authorities have used the law to crack down on religious expressions they don’t agree with, according to the human rights organization Amnesty International. Most commonly, Egyptian officials have targeted atheist or agnostic beliefs, but religious minorities such as Coptic Christians, Shi’a Muslims, and Bahá’ís also face discrimination, according to Amnesty International.

ADF attorney Kelsey Zorzi said authorities threaten, discriminate, and imprison Christians because they are not part of the majority religion in the country. In Egypt, Christians have been persecuted for years for simply expressing their beliefs, Zorzi added.