Christian World | ACW | October 28, 2026 — Egyptian National Security officers arrested Sherif Wagih Fahmi, a 41-year-old Coptic engineer, at his home in Alexandria on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, according to the U.S.-based advocacy group Coptic Solidarity.

Coptic Solidarity says the arrest was over Facebook posts. According to Morning Star News, citing the group, Fahmi had criticised the compulsory Islamic education of non-Muslim pupils in Egyptian schools.

Morning Star News reported that officers arrived at his home in military vehicles, searched the house and took him into custody. Where he is being held is unclear. Coptic Solidarity says he faces a charge of "contempt of Islam" but has not yet been given a case number to appear in court.

Coptic Solidarity recorded an interview with Fahmi's sister on Oct. 25 and published it on Oct. 27.

No response from Egyptian authorities appears in published reports.

In a separate case, six young Copts from Minya governorate who were detained on Oct. 6 over a TikTok video have been ordered released without bail by the Supreme State Security Prosecution, Morning Star News reported. The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) confirmed the order on Oct. 26.

Coptic researcher Augustinos Samaan was sentenced in January 2026 to five years in prison with hard labour on a "contempt of religion" charge. According to Morning Star News, his final appeal is due before Egypt's Court of Cassation on Nov. 15, 2026. Egypt ranks 42nd on Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List.

Why it matters: Morning Star News describes the arrest as part of a long-running pattern of pressure on Christians in Egypt who speak about persecution on social media. The case shows how freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression are bound together in Egypt.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Source: Coptic Solidarity; Morning Star News