Coptic murder in Egypt sparks clashes
Clashes broke out between Muslims and Coptic Christians in Alexandria in Egypt after the funeral of a Coptic worshipper killed in church on Friday.
Police fired tear gas and tried to separate the groups, who threw stones and attacked each other with sticks. Fifteen people were arrested.
The unrest followed the funeral of Nushi Atta Girgis, 78, who died in one of three knife attacks in Alexandria.
Christians have accused the government of failing to protect them.
Mourners shouted anti-government slogans as the funeral procession - attended by an estimated 3,000 people - turned into a protest outside the church where the funeral was held.
At least 15 people were injured and four vehicles burned out, an interior ministry source said.
The ministry said those arrested were both Copts and Muslims and included "some fanatic extremist elements".
The government has said a "deranged" man was arrested for carrying out all the attacks at the three churches, but some Copts believe they were carried out simultaneously as part of an anti-Christian plot by extremist Muslims.
A judge has remanded the arrested man, Mahmoud Salah-Eddin Abdel-Raziq, 25, in custody.
Christians make up 10% of the Egyptian population and have complained of harassment and discrimination.
Radio New Zealand
Subscribe to the Copts Daily Digest at http://www.copts.com/digest.asp
Police fired tear gas and tried to separate the groups, who threw stones and attacked each other with sticks. Fifteen people were arrested.
The unrest followed the funeral of Nushi Atta Girgis, 78, who died in one of three knife attacks in Alexandria.
Christians have accused the government of failing to protect them.
Mourners shouted anti-government slogans as the funeral procession - attended by an estimated 3,000 people - turned into a protest outside the church where the funeral was held.
At least 15 people were injured and four vehicles burned out, an interior ministry source said.
The ministry said those arrested were both Copts and Muslims and included "some fanatic extremist elements".
The government has said a "deranged" man was arrested for carrying out all the attacks at the three churches, but some Copts believe they were carried out simultaneously as part of an anti-Christian plot by extremist Muslims.
A judge has remanded the arrested man, Mahmoud Salah-Eddin Abdel-Raziq, 25, in custody.
Christians make up 10% of the Egyptian population and have complained of harassment and discrimination.
Radio New Zealand
Subscribe to the Copts Daily Digest at http://www.copts.com/digest.asp
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