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Egypt cracks down on blasphemy in wave of arrests

The recent arrests of both Christians and Muslims accused of insulting Islam have renewed calls from rights groups to end prosecution for blasphemy in Egypt.
A picture taken during a guided tour organised by Egypt's State Information Service on February 11, 2020, shows an Egyptian police officer at the entrance of the Tora prison in the Egyptian capital Cairo. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

In the past few days, several arrest warrants have been issued for Egyptian Christians accused of insulting Islam. A young Muslim man was also detained for mocking the hosts of the Cairo-based Holy Quran Radio Station.

These cases have sparked a debate about blasphemy and renewed calls to abolish the crime from Egyptian law. 

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