Egypt throws out case against mob that attacked elderly Christian woman

Prosecutors in Egypt have dropped the case against a Muslim mob who allegedly attacked a 70-year-old Christian woman and paraded her naked through the streets.

Souad Thabet was attacked by the mob in Minya last May after rumors spread that her son had an affair with a Muslim woman. The attackers also reportedly burned down homes belonging to Christian families.

Thabet's lawyer, Eihab Ramzy, said that the prosecutors cited lack of sufficient evidence for their decision to drop the case.

"It's a calamity," Ramzy told the Associated Press, describing the prosecutor's decision. "The preliminary investigation heard testimonies supporting her account from family members and policemen at the scene," the lawyer added.

In an interview with a U.S.-based Christian TV station, Thabet revealed that she and her family are unable to return to her home to this day because of threats from Muslim extremists. Ramzy noted that local authorities have urged the family to reconcile with the Muslims in the village.

According to the World Watch Monitor, Thabet had reported threats against her before the attack, but the police did not take action. Ramzy said back in May that the authorities ignored the tracts that were distributed in the area, calling for violence against Christians.

He added that copies of the tracts were delivered to the police, but the authorities still refused to collect evidence even after the attacks occurred.

"Attacking a 70-year-old woman, undressing and beating her is a most despicable act. I don't understand how moral people like the Delta villagers have allowed this to happen," he said.

Tarek Nasser, the governor of Minya, denied that Thabet was stripped naked despite statements from multiple security officials confirming that a woman was beaten and insulted while being paraded through the village.

At the time of the attack, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for the perpetrators to be held accountable and ordered the military to restore the property damaged at no cost to the owners.

Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population. Discrimination against Christians in big cities like Cairo or Alexandria is subtle, but it is more apparent in provinces like Minya, where they are a sizable minority.

"The government is allowing the oppressors to walk free on the streets. This is our village that we were born and raised in ... How can we be the victims and not be able to return to our village and homes?" Thabet told the TV station.