An Egyptian man who converted from Islam to Christianity is facing the possibility of execution after prosecutors reportedly sought the maximum punishment against him in a controversial case…
An Egyptian man who converted from Islam to Christianity is facing the possibility of execution after prosecutors reportedly sought the maximum punishment against him in a controversial case involving allegations of religious persecution, torture and terrorism charges. Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek, an Egyptian Muslim convert to Christianity, has been imprisoned since July 2025 after Egyptian authorities charged him with several offences that his legal team and rights advocates claim are connected to his refusal to renounce Christianity.
According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, Egyptian prosecutors are pursuing either the death penalty or a 25-year prison sentence against Abdelrazek. His lawyer, Said Fayez, confirmed that authorities are seeking the maximum possible punishment. His case has attracted international attention, with religious freedom organisations raising concerns over the prosecution of individuals who choose to leave Islam.
Abdelrazek’s fiancee, Sophia, an Australian-Egyptian woman, has alleged that he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture during detention, including attempts to remove a cross tattoo from his body. “They tried to remove his cross tattoo. They tortured him. They had him crucified the whole time that he was there,” Sophia told The Jerusalem Post, describing how authorities allegedly attached him to a wall without using nails.
Torture, religious coercion and terrorism charges Abdelrazek reportedly faces charges including contempt for Islam, inciting public disorder, disseminating false information and membership in a banned terrorist organisation. However, his lawyer’s office has maintained that the alleged organisation does not exist and that the prosecution is effectively targeting him for refusing to renounce Jesus Christ. According to Coptic Solidarity, a Christian advocacy organisation monitoring the case, the charges raise serious concerns about the use of national security and religious provisions against converts.
Sophia has also alleged that Egyptian authorities have not identified the terrorist organisation Abdelrazek is accused of joining. She further claimed that approximately 180 other Christians are being detained on similarly questionable charges. Born into a Muslim family, Abdelrazek’s journey towards Christianity reportedly began after he encountered an open Bible at a neighbour’s shop. The passage that initially caught his attention was the Sermon on the Mount. Although he initially reacted negatively, he returned several days later to discuss Christianity with a part-time minister.
This is a source-linked briefing. Read the original report from Organiser Weekly .