The prosecution has sought the maximum sentence – which means the death penalty or 25 years’ imprisonment, depending on which charges he is convicted of – against Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek. The man, who is around 30 years old, converted from Islam to Christianity and has been in prison since July 2025.
Abdelrazek was born into a Muslim family and converted in 2016 after studying the Bible. He was baptised in a Protestant Baptist church and later joined the Russian Orthodox Church. The conversion led to a family breakdown, a forced divorce and the loss of custody of his son – as well as recurring problems with the authorities.
Membership of a terrorist organisation that does not exist
Abdelrazek was arrested in 2023 for alleged desecration of the Qur’an and served a one-year prison sentence. After his release, he attempted to seek asylum in Russia, but was deported to Egypt in 2024. In July 2025, shortly after attempting to have his religion changed on his official identity documents from Muslim to Christian, he was re-arrested in Cairo.
According to the human rights organisation Coptic Solidarity and his defence lawyers, he faces charges of contempt of Islam, incitement, spreading false information and membership of a terrorist organisation. The latter charge carries the death penalty under Egyptian counter-terrorism legislation.
His lawyers claim that the alleged terrorist organisation does not exist. They believe that the case is, in reality, about his refusal to ‘renounce Jesus’.
The prosecution sought the maximum sentence during a court hearing on 3 November. The case has been adjourned until 8 December 2026, when the defence is due to present its arguments.
And they’re advocating for religious freedom in the West 🥺
— DADDY ZION DREAMS (@Oluwashina64618) 11 November 2026
Abdelrazek’s fiancée, Sophia, an Australian-Egyptian national, has told the media that he was subjected to torture whilst in custody. She says that the authorities attempted to remove a cross tattoo, sent in mullahs to persuade him to return to Islam, and tied him to a wall in the shape of a cross for an extended period.
Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch comments on the ‘crucifixion’:
– Clearly, crucifixion in this case does not involve driving nails through the hands and feet, as that would probably result in Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek’s death. Rather, it involves tying him to a cross. This is a punishment prescribed in the Qur’an: “Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive to spread corruption in the land is that they be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter they will suffer a tremendous punishment.” (Qur’an 5:33)
Read more: https://t.co/BR1qcUJ2qX
— Robert Spencer (@jihadwatchRS) 11 November 2026
Amnesty International has also documented poor conditions in the prison where he is being held.
Egypt has no law that explicitly criminalises apostasy, or renouncing Islam, but converts face prosecution on charges of blasphemy, disturbing public order or terrorism-related offences.
The case is being monitored by international organisations such as Coptic Solidarity, LifesiteNews, USCIRF and many more.
