Source: Jubilee Campaign, February 12, 2025
Egyptian authorities detained Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo without trial [for three years, including] several months in solitary confinement solely for exercising his freedom of religion and expression. Today, Abdulbaqi is finally free and reunited with his family in Canada, thanks to persistent international and domestic pressure.
Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo is a Yemeni Christian from a Muslim background. After threats from family and community members, he, his wife, and children were preparing to leave the country when his wife was tragically murdered. Abdulbaqi, now a widower, and his four children fled Yemen to Egypt in 2014.
Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo was registered with the UNHCR and later remarried. On December 15, 2021, plainclothes police raided his home at 2:00 am. The authorities confiscated his mobile and laptop and those of his family members. Authorities kept Abdulbaqi under pre-trial detention for more than the two-year limit prescribed by law. This practice has been heavily criticized by human rights experts.
See also two articles related to religious liberty in other regions from International Christian Concern.
- The first is from Malaysia: Proposed Guidelines for Muslims Participating in Non-Muslim Celebrations Raise Concerns.
- The second is from Nepal: Nepalese Government Detains, Questions 17 U.S. Citizens on Proselytizing Charges (Note that they were soon released. Local Christians would face more severe consequences).