Criminals followed Coptic doctor Ashraf Paulis Aziz on his return from his clinic in Khawaga Village. They stopped him at gunpoint on his way to his home in Beni Mazar. They led him to an unknown location and called his family. They told them to pay a million pounds as ransom. The family has not submitted a complaint, fearing that the kidnappers could harm the doctor.
Dr. Barsoom Samir, a Pharmacist, was also kidnapped during his return to Tiba Village from Samalout. The kidnappers also called his family and demanded a million pound ransom.
Gunmen also kidnapped Coptic doctor Maged Welson who lives in Nazlet Asmant near the city of Abu Qerqas. They demanded his family pay half a million pounds as ransom. The kidnapping occured as he was driving home.
Samalout has been the site of many kidnapping and ransoming attempts.
Copt Nabil Fayek Boshra, a sales manager, was released by his abductors after his family paid an 80,000 EGP ransom. Dr. Hany Sedhom, a pharmacist, was kidnapped a week ago and released after an 300,000 EGP ransom was paid.
Unknown people stormed the clinic of Coptic doctor Nadi Aziz in Samalout. They attempted to kidnap him, while the resident saved him. One of the attackers stabbed him with a bladed weapon and he was transferred to Samalout Hospital.
Copts have faced increasing attempts to kidnap them or seize their property since the January 25 Revolution of 2011. These violations notably increased in the governorates of Upper Egypt.
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