Originally published in Agenzia Fides
An Egyptian appeals court has rejected the appeal of Imam Ahmad Abdullah Mahmoud against his imprisonment and sentencing for burning a Bible. This was announced by Egyptian sources consulted by Fides Agency.
The Salafi preacher’s appeal, however, has had the effect of reducing the sentence imposed from 11 to five years in prison.
Imam Abdullah, better known as Abu Islam, who is also the owner of the TV channel al-Ummah, had carried out the sacrilegious act on September 11, 2012, during demonstrations held in front of the US. embassy in Cairo to protest against a film that denigrated the Prophet Mohammad. These demonstrations were attended by many Christians.
Last February, Abu Islam issued a statement regarding the cases of women raped during the demonstrations in Tahrir Square, claiming that rape victims had joined the demonstrations not to protest, but with the tacit desire “to be raped”
