Egyptian protesters climb down from the wall of the US embassy in Cairo on September 11, 2012 during a demonstration against a film deemed offensive to Islam. – Photo by AFP

CAIRO: An Islamic cleric and prosecutors say two Coptic Christian boys are in juvenile detention after locals complained they urinated on pages of the Islamic holy book in southern Egypt.      

The boys, ages 9 and 10, were detained earlier this week. It's a rare case of minors being accused of contempt for Islam, although Egypt has seen a rise in the use of the law against Coptic Christian adults amid fury over an anti-Islam film produced in the US.

Sheik Gamal Shamarkal, who is following the case in the southern el-Fashn town, said Wednesday the two boys couldn't have acted alone and must remain in custody until they confess who incited them.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...