CAIRO - Egypt's Chief Prosecutor Abdel-Meguid Mahmoud Monday ordered the release of 70 Copts, who were previously remanded in custody for 15 days, after rioting near a church under construction in Giza. "Seventy rioters in the Omraniya incidents are being released for health reasons, after an appeal by their lawyer was accepted," a statement from the Chief Prosecutor's office read. It added that most of those released were university students. "The Prisons Department has been notified in order to implement the decision," the statement read. Security forces clashed with Coptic protesters at several locations on November 24 in Omraniya, Giza after authorities halted the construction of a church, preparing it for demolition. The building was licensed as a community centre, although church members insisted the permit had been changed by the Governor of Giza. Two Copts were killed during the clashes, while 154 others were jailed for 15 days. Copts frequently claim they suffer persecution at the behest of the Government. Christians comprise an estimated 10 per cent of Muslim-dominated Egypt.
