Coptic Christian Church, the St. Bishoy Monastery, located between Cairo and Alexandria. More than 8 million Coptic Christians live in Egypt. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – The human rights organization Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the increase in criminal blasphemy cases in Egypt, especially those brought against Coptic Christians.

“Slapping criminal charges with steep fines and, in most cases, prison sentences against people for simply speaking their mind or holding different religious beliefs is simply outrageous,” Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Director, said in a statement.

Most of the blasphemy cases in Egypt have been directed against Coptic Christians.

According to Amnesty International, “Bloggers and media professionals whose ideas are ‘deemed offensive’ as well as Coptic Christians—particularly in Upper Egypt—make up the majority of those targeted.”

A court in Upper Egypt recently convicted and fined Coptic Christian teacher Dimyana Obeid Abd Al Nour $14,000 for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad in class.