December 23, 2011
A Cairo criminal court decided this week to accept the appeal and release of 27 Coptic Christian detainees who were arrested and falsely charged in connection with the events of the Maspero massacre on Oct. 9, when 27 Copts were killed and 329 injured, ASSIST News Service reports. The decision was hailed by the Coptic church and various rights groups, though they believe it was not enough. "Where is the accountability of the persons responsible for the blood that was shed in Maspero?" said Coptic priest Filopateer Gameel, citing the 12 Christian protesters crushed and killed by government armored vehicles in October. The defense team for the Coptic victims says it will continue to fight until all those killed, injured or detained unlawfully "have received the justice they deserve."