The families of 21 Coptic Egyptians beheaded by Islamic State militants in Libya on Sunday have demanded the bodies of their sons be returned “by any means.”
In Minya’s town of Samalout, the families of 13 of the slain victims, originally kidnapped in January, were in 'hysterical' shock after the group published a video showing the execution of the kidnapped individuals along the Libyan coast. Many of the victims’ wives and mothers collapsed and were taken to the hospital.
Magdy Malak, a Coptic activist, confirmed that those who appeared in the video belonged to the town. He said that the families’ only demand is to ensure that the bodies are returned home for burial “at any price.”
Malak said the Bishop of Samalout is considering church services for the victims despite the absence of the bodies.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
