Egypt: Christian broadcaster raided and equipment confiscated

The SAT-7 studio in Cairo raided by censorship officers. SAT-7

The Cairo studios of Christian satellite broadcaster SAT-7 were raided on Saturday by officers of Egypt's Censorship Department who accused it of operating without the necessary licences.

Items of equipment including cameras and computers used for editing were confiscated and the office director, Farid Samir, was detained for six hours before being released, SAT-7 said.

He faces four charges relating to operating a satellite TV channel without the correct licences.

Farid Samir, SAT-7's office manager, who was arrested and detained. SAT-7

However, according to SAT-7, the Egypt office is a programme production facility and not a satellite broadcast centre. It said that all the charges were "based on a lack of and/or incorrect information".

A decision will be taken by the Public Prosecutor in the next few days about whether the case will go to court. In the meantime SAT-7's activities in Egypt are severely disrupted, though broadcasts to Egypt are continuing from Beirut.

The president of SAT-7 USA, Rex Rogers, said: "As far as we know, we've done absolutely nothing wrong. We have the appropriate licensures and approvals. This is a misunderstanding, but unfortunately, it could cost us."

SAT-7's work in Egypt is carried out under the legal umbrella of the Coptic Evangelical Church but its services are in support of all the Church denominations in the country.

After Sunday's court hearing, Samir asked Christians to "unite with us in prayer so that we can complete our ministry – one based on love and which aims to serve our beloved country".

The issue of censorship is of increasing concern among Egyptian media following the passing of a new anti-terrorism law in the summer. Christians are a minority in the country and face continual pressure from Muslim hard-liners, though the country's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has strongly urged tolerance and religious freedom.

related articles
Bringing a message of hope to persecuted Christians through satellite TV
Bringing a message of hope to persecuted Christians through satellite TV

Bringing a message of hope to persecuted Christians through satellite TV

Turkey: SAT-7 Christian broadcasting gets massive potential audience boost
Turkey: SAT-7 Christian broadcasting gets massive potential audience boost

Turkey: SAT-7 Christian broadcasting gets massive potential audience boost

Egypt: Coptic Christians attacked by Muslim neighbours in property row
Egypt: Coptic Christians attacked by Muslim neighbours in property row

Egypt: Coptic Christians attacked by Muslim neighbours in property row

Egyptian Christian still held in prison for reporting attacks on churches
Egyptian Christian still held in prison for reporting attacks on churches

Egyptian Christian still held in prison for reporting attacks on churches

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.