Scottish Catholic Observer

Clashes on Sunday October 9 in Cairo—between Christians, Muslims and the army—resulted in the deaths of 26 Coptic Christians. The Egyptian military has denied responsibility for the event after video footage emerged suggesting their culpability.

A press conference, due to take place tomorrow morning, has been arranged by Premier Christian Media in partnership with the charity Christian Solidarity and will see Britian’s leading Coptic Christians call for answers.

The panel will feature Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide; Bishop Angaelos; General Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Church, United Kingdom; and activists from three leading UK based Coptic Christian organisations.

The conference will also present graphic photographic  and video evidence taken from the Cairo protests, including exclusive footage.

Peter Kerridge, chief executive of Premier Christian Media Trust, organisers of the event, said the situation was exceptionally serious.

“As a Christian media organisation, we recognise the powerful role the media has played in the current situation in Egypt—inciting the public to demonise Christians and see them further marginalised in Egyptian public life,” he said.

“There are some incredible parallels with ‘Bloody Sunday’ when the British Army denied killing 26 innocent protestors in Northern Ireland all those years ago. History cannot repeat itself which is why we have partnered with Christian Solidarity Worldwide and the UK Coptic Christian Orthodox Church to call for an independent Egyptian judicial inquiry into this situation.”

Pic: A grief-stricken Egyptian woman mourns at a funeral of  a Coptic Christian killed during recent violence.