Story number 3 for 12 Dec 2000

Compass Direct News is reporting an Egyptian criminal court has released all 89 defendants charged in the New Year’s Coptic Christian massacre in El-Kosheh village. The presiding judge promised a final verdict on January 9, but said he was ordering the defendants released in deference to approaching holiday seasons for both Muslims and Christians in Egypt. While the original riots were not believed to be religiously motivated, believers are coming under increasing pressure from authorities. Please pray for safety for Christians in this area.