Canadian Coptic Christian demands police protection, says he fears for his life

OCP September 22, 2012 11:07 pm 1

The Canadian Press
22/9/2012

TORONTO – A Canadian Coptic Christian says he fears for his life and wants police protection after Egypt issued an arrest warrant for him, alleging he was involved in a controversial film.

Nader Fawzy, one of two Canadians named in Egyptian warrants in connection with the film “Innocence of Muslims,” says he doesn’t feel safe and is worried someone will try to kill him or his children.

“When this fatwa is published anyone can come to kill me or my kids, or even my family in Egypt,” he told a Toronto news conference today.

Fawzy said there’s no evidence that he was involved with the movie, which has sparked violent protests in several countries.

“I never saw more than four minutes (of the movie) … I have nothing to do with it,” he said, as he stood next to his MP, Liberal Jim Karygiannis.

Fawzy, who described himself as a Coptic activist, said he has spoken out against the way Coptic Christians are treated by the Egyptian government and that he published a book the government didn’t like.

Fawzy said he was not happy that the Canadian government responded to his concerns by advising him to keep quiet.

“I need protection for me and for my daughters and I believe that came here to Canada to be safe with my kids,” he said.

“I’m not here to seal my lips, I’m here to talk as everyone in Canada on Canadian soil has the right to talk.”

Egypt’s prosecutor general has issued arrest warrants for a number of Coptic Christians, primarily living in the United States, for alleged involvement with the film.

Fawzy and fellow Canadian Jacques Attalla were among those accused of offending Islam, insulting the Prophet Muhammad, inciting sectarian strife and jeopardizing Egypt’s peace and independence.

Both men deny having anything to do with the amateurish movie. But they fear that being named in the warrants has made them targets for Muslim extremists, who’ve been encouraged by senior clerics to kill all those connected to the film.

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