Alexandria–Angry Coptic Christians on Monday prevented some 30 construction workers from a government contracting company from entering Alexandria's Church of St. Mark and St. Peter, according to one eyewitness.
The construction crew had been sent to repair damage to the church caused by a suicide bombing on New Year's Eve that killed 22 people outside the building.
Police have hinted that the crime may have been perpetrated by "outside parties."
According to the eyewitness, the crowd of Copts insisted that damage to the church–as well as the blood of the “martyrs” killed in the bombing–not be touched until the attack's perpetrators were brought to justice.
The contracting company had reportedly dispatched eight cars to the site in the early afternoon to begin repair work.
