Man sets fire to Virgin Mary Church in Egypt's Giza

A man was arrested after setting a fire inside the Church of the Virgin Mary in the Barak al-Khiyam area of Giza, Egypt, on Thursday, Oct. 22. The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Central Giza reported that the incident occurred around 6 a.m. and caused no injuries.

The man entered the church under the pretext of praying while carrying a bottle of gasoline in a bag. He broke the door of a small ground-floor chapel and set fire to curtains, damaging carpeting and wooden Gospel stands. Bishop Theodosius of Central Giza reviewed surveillance footage of the entry with several priests and confirmed the damage was limited.

The Egyptian Ministry of the Interior stated that security forces apprehended the suspect while he was sitting on a church bench, partially undressed and speaking incoherently. Ministry officials said surveillance footage showed the man entering with a plastic water bottle containing a white substance without being stopped by gate security. The ministry reported that the suspect suffers from mental health disorders related to crystal methamphetamine addiction and has previously been admitted to a psychiatric facility.