A policeman has been killed trying to defuse a bomb outside a Coptic Christian church in Egypt, security officials say.
A policeman has been killed trying to defuse a bomb outside a Coptic Christian church in Egypt, security officials say.
The Coptic Orthodox Church is the main Christian Church in Egypt. While most Copts live there, the church has about a million members outside the country.
Mustafa Abid was reportedly a specialist in mine clearance. The explosion injured two other officers and an onlooker.
The device was one of two hidden in a bag on a roof by the church in Nasr City outside Cairo.
It comes two days before Egypt’s Christians celebrate their Christmas.
About 10% of Egypt’s population are Copts, and many say the state discriminates against them and does not offer them enough protection.
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi – who declares himself a defender of Christians against extremists – is due to open Cathedral of Nativity on Sunday outside the capital, the day before Coptic Christmas on 7 January.
No group has of yet claimed the attack, but Islamist insurgents have regularly attacked Copts in the past. More than 100 have been killed in attacks by jihadists since 2016.