Egyptian prosecutors are pursuing the “maximum penalty,” either execution or 25 years in prison, for Christian convert Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek, his lawyers announced in a statement on Tuesday following a hearing in his case.
Abdelrazek, who converted from Islam, was arrested in July 2025 and has been detained by Egyptian authorities since then on undisclosed charges. He was previously arrested in 2023 for allegedly posting videos depicting the desecration of the Quran, for which he served a year-long prison sentence.
Following his release, he fled to Russia, but was deported after his asylum application was rejected. He was detained again in 2024 and released shortly afterward. In April 2025, he was rearrested after beginning to publish social media content about his conversion and efforts to have his religious status legally changed.
Prosecuted for his refusal to 'renounce Jesus'
According to the NGO Coptic Solidarity, Abdelrazek was charged with contempt for Islam, inciting public disorder, disseminating false information, and joining a banned terrorist organization, an accusation that carries the possibility of the death penalty.
Said Fayez’s office, which is representing Abdelrazek, alleged that he was being charged with running an organization that does not exist and was being prosecuted because he refused to “renounce Jesus.” His legal representative also confirmed that the court adjourned the case until December 8, 2026, when the defense will be allowed to present its arguments.
Throughout his imprisonment, Fayez’s office has alleged that Abdelrazek has been tortured and subjected to medical negligence at the 10th of Ramadan Prison. It claimed he has been held in a crucifixion position and denied medical care despite having a heart stent.
The case has attracted international attention, with Lord David Alton confirming on Monday that he had discussed Abdelrazek’s case in the British Parliament. The US State Department raised concerns with Congress in June regarding the case.