Watani-
Police has restored calm and order to the village of Ashrouba in Beni Mazar, Minya, some 230km south of Cairo, following an attack against Copts.
The attack occurred on 8 January in the wake of an individual argument, that turned into a fight, between a Muslim tuk-tuk driver who hit a car driven by a Copt. A street fight ensued, which quickly escalated into collective punishment of the village Copts by a Muslim mob. The mob attacked Copts’ homes, looted their shops, and even threw stones at the village’s church of the Apostles. A number of Copts were injured and moved to hospital.
The police arrived at the scene and made several arrests.. The prosecution has started investigation.
The situation today in Ashrouba is stable in light of heavy security presence.
According to one of the villagers, the idea of an out of court conciliation between both sides was put on the table, but the Copts insist on walking the legal course in hope of averting any prospective violence.
Ashrouba is known to be a stronghold of Islamists.
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