LUXOR, Egypt – An Egyptian security official says a mob of angry Islamic extremists burned shops owned by Coptic Christians near the ancient city of Luxor on Monday, hours before a trial for a Coptic Christian accused of blasphemy.
The official said he saw the mob throw gasoline bombs at the shops in the village of el-Mahameed. The attack came hours before the start of a trial in Luxor for Kerolos Ghattas, a young Coptic Christian charged with contempt to Islam over a series of alleged Internet postings.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to journalists.
Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s population.
