Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is calling for the release of a Christian convert in Egypt who was falsely charged with joining a terrorist organisation after requesting identification documents which recognised his change of religion.

Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq converted to Christianity in 2016 and joined the Russian Orthodox Church in Egypt. He endured family rejection, societal hostility and police intimidation whenever he spoke of his new faith. In 2018 he was able to travel to Russia, where he applied for asylum and began criticising Islam publicly, which angered members of some of Russia’s Muslim communities. He was arrested and imprisoned for a year, after which his asylum was revoked, and he was deported to Egypt in 2024. He was questioned by Egyptian authorities but released.

In July 2025 he was arrested while requesting his new ID, and charged with joining a terrorist organisation, stirring unrest and spreading false news.

Abdulraziq informed his lawyer that he would like to be able to worship inside the prison, acquire a Bible and receive communion. On 7 January, he was reportedly barred from attending a Coptic Orthodox Christmas mass by prison authorities.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘We welcome the news that Mr Abdulraziq was able to meet with his lawyer; however, we are concerned that he was not permitted to attend a Coptic Orthodox Christmas mass, and maintain that all of the charges levelled against him are false. We call upon the Egyptian authorities to ensure these charges are dropped and that he is released immediately, and to end all policies and practices that underpin inequality. Every Egyptian citizen should be free to practice a religion or belief of their choice without fear of official intimidation, societal threats, judicial harassment or physical harm.’