Armed gangs target Coptic immigrants from Egypt

A Catholic priest in Libya has highlighted the threat posed by armed gangs in the country, a day after the release of 13 Egyptian Coptic Christians seized by gunmen in the northern city of Sirte on 3 January.

Initial reports said Islamists had kidnapped the Christians, but tribal leaders on Monday insisted they had been detained by “people smugglers”. Fr Celso Larracas said while the latest attacks could be in response to Egypt’s support of the Libyan Government, armed gangs were increasingly targeting people for robbery or ransom.

“They are demanding money in the form of ransom or other personal possessions. They have killed many people this way,” said Fr Larracas, who has himself been a victim of the gangs.

In the latest attack, the Egyptian Coptic Christians were seized from a residential compound. Local reports said gunmen separated Christians from Muslims before handcuffing the Christians and taking them away.