From our international network we have learned that the large group of Egyptian Christians arrested on February 27 has now been released. Some media reports mentioned 48 Egyptians, but later this number was revised down to 43. Initially, Libyan authorities had boasted to local media that they had arrested over 100 Egyptian Christians. These were initially accused of proselytizing among Libyan Muslims, but the accusations proved unfounded. These are simple laborers. In order for the authorities not to completely lose face, everyone in this group has been deported.
Unfortunately, the situation is very different for an Egyptian Christian bookseller and three other Egyptian Christians who were arrested earlier in February and now face charges of espionage, which carries the death penalty. It seems that the authorities have taken this drastic step because the arrest of the bookseller initially appeared to have happened without following the normal police rules and the bookseller had been acting in good faith all along and even had his residence permit renewed.
Pray for these four Egyptians that the accusations of espionage will be completely withdrawn and that they will all be released as soon as possible!
