As the Coptic Christians of Egypt work towards rebuilding one of their church homes after it became a victim of a bombing during a Catholic Christian Mass service last month, four culprits linked to the attack have been detained.
Originally it was reported that 22-year-old Shafik Mahmoud Mohammed Mostafa, a man that has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, was the person responsible for taking down the ancient religious sect.
But on Wednesday, the Ministry Of Interior reported that four people have been taken into custody.
Police officers arrested one of the two people directly associated with the blast and three others linked to the extremist cell. The one person arrested is said to be a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood but no other explanation including a possible link to ISIS was explained in the statement.
The ministry stated that during the arrest police officers also removed explosive devices, ammunition and shotguns when it apprehended the individuals. The names of the culprits have not been released but one man associated with the incident is still on the run at this time.
ISIS claimed sole responsibility for the attack when it happened on Dec. 11. The terrorists also threatened to do more bombardments against Christians in Egypt and other Christian religious centers around the world. Putting countries like the United States on high alert around Christmas.
Latest Threat from ISIS Targets American Churches
But the North African country of Egypt is linking the incident to the Muslim Brotherhood, a Sunni Islam focused religious and political group.
The Brotherhood is considered to be one of the oldest Islamist movements in Egypt while ISIS sprang up around 2006 in Iraq and Syria after separating from al Qaeda in Iraq in ’04.
The Egyptian Health Ministry also noted that three additional deaths have been counted since the horrific attack, bringing the total from 25 people to 28.
—
Other Must Reads:
How Coptic Christians are Responding to Deadly Attack Will Inspire You
Christian Converts Desperately Attempting to Flee Egypt’s Latest Violent Persecution
(H/T Reuters)