Security authorities refused on Saturday a request from the Egyptian Coptic Church to release protesters arrested during Wednesday's confrontations with security forces. Hundreds of Copts clashed with security in Omraniya over halted construction on a local church. Giza authorities say the church lacked the proper building permits. A delegation of local Coptic leaders met on Saturday with the Giza Director of Security, Mohsen Hafzy, to diffuse tensions between Copts and security following the unrest. Two Copts died in the clashes and scores more were injured. The church delegation demanded the release of all suspects, who are being held for 15 days pending further investigation. The director of security, however, refused the request. Mohsen Hafzy said the decision to release the suspects falls under the jurisdiction of Attorney General Abdel Mahmoud and the general prosecution, which has led the investigation from the beginning. Hafzy pledged the impartiality of the judiciary. Hafzy said security does not discriminate on religious grounds. Following Al-Qaeda's threats to churches in Egypt, the Ministry of Interior has stepped up protection inside and outside churches, Hafzy added, deploying police officers and personnel to the streets surrounding the churches 24 hours a day. Giza security authorities continued to deploy officers in the Omraniya area and along the ring road in order to prevent renewed confrontations. Five security cars were deployed above and below the overpass, in front of the Services Complex Building which issued the decision to halt construction, as well as in front of the Giza Governorate headquarters in Omraniya.
