Bishop Armiyā, Secretary of Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III, said the church has nothing to do with the disappearance of Kāmīliyā Shihatah, who, he said, is an adult person who is responsible for her actions.

"Kāmīliyā has affirmed that she has not converted to Islam and that she was not detained by the church," he said, adding Kāmīliyā is staying with her husband with her own free will.

In statements during investigations by the Central Cairo Prosecution on Thursday, May 12, 2011, Bishop Armiyā noted that Kāmīliyā's appearance on the Coptic al-Hayāh channel was also with her own free will after she came under pressures by religious groups.

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