By Coptic Solidarity –
Ayman Ramzy Boutros died in police custody after spending nearly four weeks in detention at Cairo’s El-Sahel Police Station. Arrested on 3 June, he died there on 27 June, making the Egyptian authorities fully responsible for both his detention and the circumstances of his death. They must now provide a full and transparent account of what occurred during his incarceration.
Out of respect for his family’s wishes, the circumstances of his detention were not disclosed earlier. However, after the information became public through other channels, there is no longer any reason to remain silent.
Available information indicates that Ramzy was detained following accusations of promoting atheism, insulting Islam and Christianity, and blasphemy. Because he had previously been investigated in 2014 on allegations of promoting atheism, the authorities appear to have relied on that earlier file when deciding to detain him.
His death once again exposes the arbitrary and discriminatory nature of Egypt’s so-called blasphemy law (‘Derision of Religion’.) Although presented as legislation protecting all religions, its primary function has long been to shield Islam from criticism. Christians have been among its principal victims, while the daily public denigration of Christianity by Islamic clerics and religious figures routinely passes without legal consequence.
For years, we have called for the repeal of this law and its replacement with legislation prohibiting religious discrimination and criminalizing anti-Christian hate speech. Islamic incitement against Copts is not merely offensive rhetoric; it has repeatedly preceded and legitimized sectarian violence, creating a climate in which attacks against Christians become easier to justify.
Ironically, most of Ramzy’s published criticism was directed at Christianity itself. Like many atheist activists, however, he also criticized aspects of Islam. Among the posts reportedly cited against him were one mocking a traditional jurisprudential opinion that a pregnancy could last four or five years, and another ridiculing a well-known statement by Sheikh Mohamed Metwally al-Sha’rawi claiming that pigs originated from a lion’s sneeze. These posts—together with another critical of God—appear to have contributed to the decision to prosecute him.
The circumstances surrounding Ramzy’s arrest remain unclear, including the identity of the individual or entity who filed the complaint against him. If it were established that another Copt initiated the complaint under Egypt’s blasphemy law, it would represent a particularly troubling development, effectively legitimizing legislation that has long served as a tool for suppressing Christians and restricting freedom of expression.
Above all, one question now demands an answer: How did a detainee arrested on non-violent speech-related allegations die after twenty-four days in police custody? Until the Egyptian authorities provide a credible explanation, responsibility for his death rests squarely with the state.
