Christian Prisoner Endures Brutality

Release International 04 June 2015

It has recently been reported that Bishoy Armia Boulous (formerly known as Mohammed Hegazy) is now enduring an overextended prison sentence with frequent assault. According to Bishoy's present lawyer, Karam Ghobriel, jailers at Tora Prison have been beating Bishoy several times a week and ruthlessly dragging him across a concrete floor. These jailers have been humiliating Bishoy in an apparent attempt to pressure him to renounce his faith.

When authorities were initially informed that Bishoy was trying to document Christian persecution, he was sentenced to imprisonment for "spreading false information" intended to "harm the public interest." While his one-year sentence for this charge had expired in December, he still remains in detention. (To view a previously taped video report on Bishoy's situation, click here.)

Bishoy is also awaiting trial for a blasphemy charge in connection with his attempt to change the religious status of his ID card to Christian. His lawyer has filed a formal complaint about Bishoy's mistreatment and ongoing detention to Egypt's attorney general, Hasham Barakat.

May the Spirit of God dwell richly in Bishoy, giving him great peace and hope throughout this brutal and humiliating ordeal, knowing that "the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6). We pray that the jailers will see the light of Christ in Bishoy and, as a result, be responsive to God's invitation for salvation. Also intercede for the success of Bishoy's lawyer, Karam, as he contends in the courts on behalf of this young father's release.

Egypt

Country Information
Population
109,546,720 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Egyptian (99.7), other (0.3)

Religion (%)
Islam (90), Christianity (10)

Leader
President Abdelfattah Said El-Sisi (2014)

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
Mixed legal system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Egypt
Pray on behalf of those who are facing economic and social challenges because of their Christian faith. Ask the Lord to provide for their spiritual and practical needs – further strengthening and emboldening them so they can effectively share the message of the Gospel with others in their communities. May the hearts of those who hear it be open and receptive to the wonderful truths contained in God’s Word.

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