The Coptic Advisory Council has demanded the re-investigation into a case in which a Luxor school teacher was accused of disdaining Islam. Ahmad Sulaymān, Minister of Justice, has been tasked with the impartial re-investigation into the matter in order to avoid the effect of pressure exerted by extremist groups on the court seen in the previous investigation.

The council noted that the Luxor Public Prosecution’s decision to put the teacher on trial represents new evidence of the absence of the rule of law and the influence held by extremist groups over the justice system. The council also called on human rights and civil organizations to defend the accused teacher so as to protect the country from elements threatening peace, undermining national values and terrorizing the Coptic community (Nādīyah Muhammad, al-Misrīyūn, May 17, p. 11). Read original text in Arabic.