Coptic Christian killed in clashes with Muslims in EgyptMarch 9, 2011 - 10:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least one person has died and fifteen injured in clashes between Coptic Christians and Muslims in Cairo, Egyptian officials say. The violence began during a protest by Copts against last week's burning of a church. Witnesses say the army fired into the air to disperse the crowds. The clashes come two months after a suicide bomber killed 23 people at a Coptic church in Alexandria. In January, an Egyptian man was sentenced to death for shooting dead six Copts and a Muslim policeman in Naga Hamady, southern Egypt. The violence on March 8 erupted when Coptic protesters blocked a highway in the Egyptian capital, protesting against the burning of the church in the province of Helwan. The rally angered Muslims who wanted to pass through. Witnesses say people from both sides then began throwing stones until the army intervened. The person who died in the clashes was a Coptic Christian, BBC reports. Copts - who make up about 10% of Egypt's population - have often complained of harassment and discrimination, and argue that attacks on them go unpunished or result in light sentences. The government in the predominantly Muslim country denies discriminating against Copts. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |