Killer of Priest Samaan allegedly incited by top MB leaders, Abu Trika

CAIRO –15 November 2017: Priest Samaan Shehata’s murderer, Ahmed el-Sonbati, claimed that he was incited by Muslim Brotherhood top leaders, including Mohamed Badie and Khairat al-Shater, along with ex-Al-Ahly players Mohammed Abu Trika and Hady Khashaba to kill the priest.

The retired Egyptian football star was placed on the terror list in January for alleged links with the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

North Cairo Criminal court sentenced Sonbati to death; referring the case to the Grand Mufti who has the final say in confirming the death sentence or annulling it.

Sonbati, 19, has been referred to the criminal court after he confessed to committing the crime; claiming that “Christians are infidels and killing them is a religious duty.” The General Prosecution said that he was not diagnosed with an apparent mental illness.

The priest was reportedly raising financial aid for his diocese when the killer followed him and eventually plunged a knife deep into his back, killing him.