Coptic Christian Engineer Arrested in Alexandria on Blasphemy Charges

Sherif Wagih Fahmi, a 41-year-old Coptic Christian engineer, was arrested by Egyptian National Security officers at his home in Alexandria on October 5. According to reports, officers gained entry to his apartment by posing as gas company employees. Fahmi was subsequently taken to a National Security office, where he remains detained.

Authorities have reportedly charged Fahmi under Article 98(f) of the Egyptian Penal Code, which prohibits the use of religion to promote extremist ideologies or disparage divinely revealed religions. The arrest stems from Fahmi’s online commentary regarding the integration of Islamic education into the national curriculum. His case is part of a broader trend, with reports indicating that 14 individuals have been arrested since September for expressing beliefs that deviate from state-sanctioned norms.

International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Christian Solidarity Worldwide, have criticized the arrests. Advocates argue that Egyptian authorities are increasingly criminalizing religious discourse and restricting freedom of expression. Regional researchers have called for an end to the use of these laws to suppress discussions regarding religious beliefs and social policies.