A Yemeni man who converted to Christianity has been released from an Egyptian prison after enduring three years of detention, primarily due to his social media activity. Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo, who faced threats to his life in Yemen following his conversion, was arrested in 2021 while living in Egypt as a registered asylum seeker. His case has drawn international attention, highlighting the challenges faced by religious minorities in the region.
Abdo was part of a Facebook group where discussions on Islamic theology and apologetics took place. His posts reportedly led to his arrest, along with another Christian, Nour Girgis, after authorities claimed they were involved in terrorism activities. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, which has been advocating for Abdo’s rights, stated that the charges against him remain unresolved, even after his release.
During his imprisonment, Abdo was moved between several detention centers and faced severe health issues, including problems with his heart, liver, and kidneys. He undertook a hunger strike in his final months in prison, a desperate measure to protest his conditions. Upon his release last month, he expressed gratitude to those who supported him during his ordeal and criticized the government’s actions against individuals for their faith.
Abdo’s son, Husam Baqi, spoke out against the broader issue of religious persecution, emphasizing the dangers faced by those who express their beliefs openly. Kelsey Zorzi, ADF International’s director of advocacy for religious freedom, condemned Abdo’s detention as a violation of human rights, arguing that peaceful expressions of faith should not be criminalized.
The case underscores the ongoing struggles for religious freedom in Egypt and similar regions, where government censorship and repression of minority faiths are prevalent. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a prominent advocate for free speech and religious freedom, remarked on the troubling trend of detaining individuals for their online expressions of belief. She called for urgent action to protect free speech globally, noting that the situation in Egypt reflects a broader pattern of repression faced by many around the world.