An Egyptian Christian convert is facing severe persecution after authorities imprisoned him on terrorism-related charges tied to his conversion from Islam and his efforts to change the religious designation on his identification documents.
According to Christian Daily International, Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek appeared before Egypt’s First Criminal Terrorism Circuit in Badr last week as international religious freedom advocates raised alarms over his treatment behind bars.
Prosecutors accused Abdelrazek of “promoting ideas and beliefs deemed ‘harmful to national unity and social peace,’” along with charges including contempt for Islam and joining an unlawful organization.
The case has drawn global attention because of the brutal treatment Abdelrazek reportedly endured while in custody. Advocacy groups stated he was deprived of adequate food, clothing and medical care while being suspended for hours in a “crucifixion” position inside Cairo’s 10th of Ramadan Prison.
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The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom designated Abdelrazek a religious prisoner of conscience, stating he was targeted because of his Christian faith and religious activity.
“During detention, authorities and inmates physically and psychologically abused Abdelrazek for his conversion,” the commission stated.
Abdelrazek converted to Christianity in 2016 after what human rights advocates described as years of personal reflection. The conversion triggered years of escalating persecution in Egypt, eventually forcing him to flee to Russia in 2019 seeking asylum.
After Russian authorities deported him back to Egypt in 2024, Egyptian officials allegedly interrogated him over his Christian beliefs and pressured him to abandon his faith.
“When communication resumed, Egyptian authorities interrogated him about his religious beliefs and pressured him to reconsider his faith, monitor other converts, and asked him to delete his social media accounts,” USCIRF reported.
Despite the pressure, Abdelrazek continued publicly expressing his Christian beliefs online and sought legal help to officially change his identification documents. Egyptian authorities arrested him again in July 2025.
Human rights organizations now are urging Australia to intervene and grant him humanitarian protection because his fiancée is an Australian citizen.
An international coalition of rights groups warned that his imprisonment exposes a broader pattern of persecution against Christian converts in Egypt.
“His experience starkly contradicts Article 64 of Egypt’s Constitution, which states that ‘freedom of belief is absolute,’ yet in practice denies that right to those who leave Islam,” the coalition wrote.
Abdelrazek’s suffering serves as a sobering reminder that many of our brothers and sisters still face imprisonment, torture and isolation simply for following Jesus Christ. While those of us in the West often worship freely, countless Christians elsewhere endure persecution that rarely makes global headlines.
We should continue praying for Abdelrazek’s protection, strength and release, while also lifting up persecuted Christians across the globe who remain steadfast in their faith despite unimaginable suffering.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
