62-year-old Christian executed

Nabil Habashi Salama (Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

A Coptic Christian abducted by the Islamic State last November has been executed.

Nabil Habashi Salama, 62, was executed on 18 April, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) confirmed, with footage of his murder being paraded on IS media platforms. 

His son Peter told the Egyptian newspaper Watani that it looked like his father had been tortured by the militants before being killed because his teeth appeared to be broken.

"We were forced to close our businesses and leave our homes to another city and we continue to receive threats," he added. 

Mr Salama was a successful businessman, owning several jewellery and mobile phone businesses in Bir Al-Abed, Northern Sinai. 

He was also a committed Christian who built the town's only church, Saint Mary & Anba Karas & St Abanob Church.

He was abducted from the town by IS in broad daylight, with the terrorists demanding a ransom of 5 million Egyptian pounds (around £230,000) for his release. 

CSW sources said Mr Salama was killed as a "warning" to Egypt's Christian community that they will be next if they remain loyal to the Egyptian state and army. 

CSW's Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: "We extend our deepest condolences to Mr Salama's family and the Coptic community in Egypt."

News
Peacemaking or partiality? Pope Leo and Trump's war of words
Peacemaking or partiality? Pope Leo and Trump's war of words

When the Pope and the President duel in public, is it prophecy versus power, or prayer mistaken for public policy?

Young men are demoralised, not apathetic, says report
Young men are demoralised, not apathetic, says report

A new report is challenging familiar assumptions about the struggles facing young men, arguing that the problem is better understood as discouragement than indifference.

'We want this nightmare to end' - Lebanese civilians fear for safety
'We want this nightmare to end' - Lebanese civilians fear for safety

Israeli strikes have compounded the hardship resulting from years of economic instability.

Trump deletes Christ-like AI image after backlash
Trump deletes Christ-like AI image after backlash

Trump blamed “the fake news” for alleging that the image compared him to Jesus.