By Watani —
The Supreme State Security Prosecution renewed on Sunday the detention of six Coptic youngmen from Minya Governorate for 15 days pending investigation in Case No. 8430 of 2026, Supreme State Security Prosecution Register. They are accused of contempt of religion after posting a video reenacting a scene from the well-known film Khalawees, starring actor Ahmed Eid.
The prosecution had ordered the defendants detained on Saturday for four days pending investigation before deciding to renew their detention for 15 days. The detention period is calculated from the date of their arrest.
Police arrested the six young men from the village of Tanyous, which is part of Taha al-Aamida village in the Samalout district of Minya, after the video circulated on social media and sparked controversy over what some viewers considered mockery of prayer.
The scene reenacted from Khalawees depicts a group of prisoners known for their criminal activity attempting to perform the prayer without knowing its rules.
The six defendants are aged 17 to 22.
Lawyers from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights attended the interrogations. Hazem Salah, a member of EIPR’s defense team, said the defendants affirmed during questioning that they had not intended to insult Islam or the feelings of Muslims. He explained that the video was adapted from a scene in a film that is repeatedly broadcast on television channels.
He added that the youngest defendant, who is a minor, explained that he immediately deleted the video upon learning that some viewers were angered by it. He stressed that the young men live in affection and peace with the other residents of their village and did not intend to offend anyone.
Salah stated that the prosecution charged the defendants with offenses related to contempt of religion, including exploiting religion with the intent to propagate extremist ideas and attacking one of the religions whose rites are publicly practiced, through the publication of a video deemed to mock Muslim prayer.
The defense-team member explained that the lawyers argued before the prosecution that there was no intent to offend. They stressed that the clip was taken from a cinematic work and that portraying the conduct of certain characters in artistic works does not necessarily constitute mockery of religion or religious rites.
The decision to renew the detention comes as the investigation in the case continues.
________________
Source:
https://www.wataninet.com/2026/10/تجديد-حبس-6-أقباط-بالمنيا-15-يومًا-على-
