Worthy Christian News > Christian Persecution > Christian Persecution - Africa > Egypt > Egyptian Convert Sentenced to Five Years

Egyptian Convert Sentenced to Five Years

Saturday, June 21, 2014 | Tag Cloud Tags: Christian Persecution, Egypt | Learn about our FREE SYNDICATION Service | Get Christian news by email! | Printer Friendly

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

CAIRO, EGYPT (Worthy News)– Wednesday a judge in Egypt’s Minya Criminal Court sentenced the first Egyptian to legally challenge his official religious status to five years in prison and a fine, according to Morning Star News.

Bishoy Armia Boulous – formerly Mohammed Hegazy — a 31-year-old Christian, received the sentence and a fine of $70(US) for “disturbing the peace by broadcasting false information” after documenting the unrest in Egypt from the incessant attacks by Muslims against Christians, attorney Wagdy Halfa said.

However, Halfa said that the real reason Boulous was charged and sentenced was because he abandoned Islam and became a Christian.

Christian news. Biblical insight. Prayer alerts. Get the Worthy Brief by email.

Boulous became a Christian in 1998. After his conversion, he was arrested numerous times by the former State Security Investigations Service. Boulous’ wife and their two children now live incognito in Europe.

Religious freedom is guaranteed under Egyptian law, but its limited by sharia, which can override national law. While sharia encourages conversion to Islam, it’s impossible for a Muslim to legally convert to Christianity. In January 2008, a court ruled against Boulous on the grounds that sharia forbids conversion from Islam.

In April 2010, an appeals court suspended Boulous’ case indefinitely.

people are currently praying.

Worthy News reports from a biblical worldview with a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and editorial independence. Learn more about About Worthy News, our Editorial Standards, AI Use Policy, Ownership of Worthy News, News Tips and Corrections, and Worthy News Staff.

💡 Did you know? One of the best ways you can support Worthy News is by simply leaving a comment and sharing this article.

📢 Social media algorithms push content further when there’s more engagement — so every 👍 like, 💬 comment, and 🔄 share helps more people discover the truth. 🙌

Discuss this article in our forums

Latest Worthy News

Netanyahu Launches National AI Program, Vows Israel Will Become Global Power

Deadly Russia-Ukraine Strikes Escalate As Kyiv Seeks More Weapons

Sudanese Pastor, Six Others Executed After Arrest in Nuba Mountains

Jetstar, Qatar Airways Jets In Sydney Near-Miss Amid Air Traffic Control Concerns

Netanyahu Rejects Trump-Backed Gaza Plan, Says Israel Will Not Withdraw Until Hamas Fully Disarms

Europe’s Heatwaves Expose Vulnerability Of Wind-Dependent Power Systems (Worthy News Investigation)

Christian Father And Youth Killed In Pakistan Amid Rising Anti-Christian Violence

Lake Mead Falls to Historic Low as Colorado River Crisis Deepens

Former NBA Players Declare for WNBA Draft, Putting Transgender Eligibility Rules to the Test

Fair Use Notice:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.