Egyptian security contain church clashes

Egyptian security forces have clashed with protesters outside St George’s Church in the Aswan city of Kom-Ombu, following the disappearance of a Muslim teacher. Demonstrators have accused the church of concealing the female teacher. Security sources told Arabstoday relatives of the educator besieged the church, pelting it with stones and firebombs. A police force consisting of 11 officers responded with teargas, in attempts to disperse the protest. A security cordon is now in effect around the church in Kom-Ombu, while local authorities deployed armoured vehicles to quell the unrest. Relatives claim the Aswan teacher was last seen with a Christian friend in front of the church, fuelling suspicions surrounding her disappearance.