Egypt Reportedly Covering Up Anti-Copt Violence In Town of Farshoot

AINA today says that the Egyptian government and Egyptian State Security are attempting to cover up extensive mob violence against Copts a week ago in the town of Farshoot. Apparently the violence was triggered by a rumor that a Copt had sexually molested a 12-year old Muslim girl. According to AINA, the principal of Al-Azhar Institute in Farshoot incited his students to loot and burn Coptic-owned businesses. The Egyptian government has imposed a news blackout on the incident and State Security is pressuring the Coptic Church in Nag Hammadi and the victims of the violence to accept extrajudicial reconciliation and to reopen the damaged businesses without first receiving compensation. Thirty-five Coptic families have been deported from surrounding villages, supposedly for their safety. However their houses were then looted by Muslims.