A Coptic Christian lawyer criticized the recent judicial decision to strip him of his Egyptian citizenship. Mourice Sadek said he will return to Egypt within the next few days, adding, “No one can prevent me from visiting my country.” Sadek, head of the American Coptic Assembly, said he will appeal the ruling which in his opinion is based on “lies.” He threatened turning to the International Court of Justice if the ruling is not suspended. Sadek told Youm7 that he did not call on American or Israeli troops to attack Egypt's High Dam in Aswan and described the claims as “lies.” He also said Egypt's January 25 Revolution, which toppled 30-year leader Hosni Mubarak from power, as the “worst in Egypt's history,” saying it had harmed Egypt's reputation. He also said the revolution harmed the status of Egypt's Coptic Christians. Sadek said he will demand the United Nations intervene militarily in Egypt to protect the Coptic minority. He said if any minority suffers persecution and files a complaint with the U.N., the organization would send a committee to investigate the situation. Sadek said he will submit such a request if the Egyptian government remains reluctant to protect Christians. Sadek also renewed his call for the establishment of an independent Coptic state with a civil government extending from Alexandria to Aswan. He said such a call will be supported if Muslims insist on keeping Article 2 of the constitution, which describes Egypt as an Islamic state and bases its legislation on sharia, Islamic law.
