Egypt Throws Christian Convert in Terrorism Court for Leaving Islam: Tortured, Tattooed Cross Ripped From His Skin

Egyptian Convert Said Mansour Rizk Abdelrazek Faces Terrorism Charges After Leaving Islam for Christianity

Said Mansour Rizk Abdelrazek, a 30 year old Egyptian who converted from Islam to Christianity in 2016, has been detained in Cairo since July 15, 2025 for the crime of believing in Jesus Christ. Egyptian authorities arrested him without a warrant after he posted about his faith online and sought legal help to change the religion on his identification documents.

After months of interrogation by Egypt's State Security Prosecution, Abdelrazek has been referred to the First Criminal Terrorism Circuit Court in Badr. His trial opened on April 21, 2026, presided over by Judge Mohamed Saeed El Sherbiny, a judge known for severe sentencing in politically sensitive cases. His defense team has been denied access to the case file and evidence.

Egyptian Christian Convert Detained and Tortured for Leaving Islam and Accepting Jesus Christ

The charges against Abdelrazek are chilling: establishing and leading a terrorist group, joining an unlawful organization, financing terrorism, promoting ideas "harmful to national unity," and showing contempt for Islam. In Egypt, leaving Islam and following Christ is treated as a national security threat.

During detention, Abdelrazek was reportedly coerced into the painful removal of a Christian tattoo from his body and was suspended for hours in a "crucifixion" position as torture. Since his conversion, he has endured repeated arbitrary arrests, forced divorce from his wife, and separation from his young son.

In 2019, the persecution drove him to flee to Russia, where the UNHCR confirmed he qualified for international protection. A Russian court issued a binding order prohibiting his deportation. Despite both safeguards, he was forcibly deported back to Egypt in 2024 in violation of international law. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has designated him a religious prisoner of conscience.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let the world see Egypt for what it is: a nation that puts a man on trial for terrorism because he chose to follow Jesus. They ripped a cross tattoo from his flesh. They hung him in a crucifixion position. They stole his wife and child. And now they drag him before a terrorism court for the crime of faith. This is not justice. This is Islamic persecution in its most naked, brutal form. Every Western government that sends aid to Egypt while a Christian convert rots in their dungeons is complicit. The silence of the international community is deafening and damning.

Take Action

• Sign the Petition: Visit copticsolidarity.org to sign the campaign calling for Abdelrazek's immediate release
• Contact Your Representative: Demand your government pressure Egypt to release this prisoner of conscience
• Contact the Egyptian Embassy: Egyptian Embassy in Washington: (202) 895 5400. Tell them the world is watching
• Share: Post this article and ask "Why is the West funding a government that jails Christians for believing in Jesus?"
• Pray: Pray for Said Mansour's protection, strength, and release. Pray for his son who has been separated from his father
• Support: Donate to Coptic Solidarity or the IRF Roundtable who are advocating for his case internationally