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Two Die in Attack on St. Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo


A funeral in Cairo for victims of an April 5 clash in the village of Khusus turned violent as mourners protested a lack of government protection and were then besieged by counter-protesters, local residents, and police.

The funeral, which took place at St. Mark’s Cathedral, the local headquarters of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo, was for the five Coptic victims of the April 5 attack in Khusus, Qalyubia, north of Cairo.  After the service, Christian protesters spilled into the streets, chanting against the Muslim Brotherhood-led government and President Muhammad Morsi. It appears that people living near the cathedral attacked or provoked the protesters, leading to violence. Security forces and civilians then besieged the cathedral compound, launching tear gas and Molotov cocktails into the church courtyard. Eighty-four people were wounded in the violence, and two were killed.