Court confirms death sentence against Coptic priest’s murderer

CAIRO – 12 February 2018: The North Cairo Criminal court confirmed on Monday the death sentence against Reverend Samaan Shehata’s murderer, Ahmed el-Sonbati, after the Grand Mufti ratified the sentence.

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


North Cairo Court hands down death sentence against Ahmed al-Sonbati-Egypt Today/Ahmed Hendy


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



Ahmed Hendy, murderer of Reverend Samaan Shehata- Egypt Today/Ahmed Hendy