Coptic Engineer Held Incommunicado in Egypt Over Facebook Posts, Advocates Say
Sherif Wagih Fahmi of Alexandria was taken from his home Oct. 5 on a 'contempt of Islam' accusation after criticizing school policies, according to Morning Star News and Coptic Solidarity.
See where this is ›ALEXANDRIA, Egypt —
A 41-year-old Coptic Christian engineer in Alexandria, Egypt, has been held incommunicado since security officers took him from his home Oct. 5, according to Morning Star News and the advocacy group Coptic Solidarity. Sherif Wagih Fahmi is accused of “contempt of Islam,” Morning Star News reported, and no court case number had yet been issued. His whereabouts were unclear.
Officers described as National Security Agency agents arrived in military vehicles in the early afternoon and raided his house, Morning Star News reported, citing Coptic Solidarity. The accusation stems from Facebook posts in which Fahmi criticized education policies that rights advocates say marginalize or vilify Christians. Coptic Solidarity said the arrest came amid a wide crackdown on online activity and religious freedom, and it recorded an interview with his sister on Oct. 25.
Morning Star News also reported on other Egyptians facing similar charges. Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek, 30, a convert from Islam held since July 15, 2025, has had his trial adjourned until Nov. 3 on charges that include contempt of Islam and joining a banned terrorist organization. Augustinos Samaan, 37, a Coptic researcher, was sentenced Jan. 3 to five years with hard labor; his final appeal is set for Nov. 15 before the Court of Cassation.
See where this is ›The report follows the Oct. 26 release without bail of six Coptic males from Taha Al-Aamida village in Minya Governorate, who had been held since Oct. 6 over a TikTok video. The Supreme State Security Prosecution ordered their release pending future proceedings.
Egyptian authorities have not commented publicly on Fahmi's case in the reports Watchman News reviewed. Watchman News has not independently confirmed the details.
What we don't know yet: The arrest and detention are reported by Morning Star News and Coptic Solidarity, two groups that track persecution of Christians. Egyptian officials have not commented, and Watchman News could not find independent confirmation. The charges against him and where he is being held are still unknown.
