Three Coptic Orthodox Church monks were stabbed to death in an attack at a monastery in South Africa and a suspect has been arrested, police said Wednesday (13/3).
The three monks were murdered on Tuesday (12/3) at the Monastery of Saint Mark the Apostle and Saint Samuel the Faithful in Cullinan, which is located east of the capital Pretoria. Another person was beaten with iron rods before managing to escape and hide inside the monastery, police said.
The suspect arrested is a 35 year old man. Police did not reveal his name or other details about him. The plan is for the suspect to appear in court on Thursday (14/3).
The motive for the attack is not yet clear. Police spokesman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said in a statement that it appeared that nothing had been stolen from the monastery.
Police said Tuesday they were looking for more than one perpetrator.
Deadly attacks on churches and other places of worship in South Africa are rare.
The Coptic Orthodox Church has its main headquarters in Egypt and dioceses in several countries. The church is one of the world's oldest Christian communities and has been the target of deadly attacks by Islamic militants in Egypt and other regions.
Attacks in Egypt have decreased recently amid tightened security around Christian places of worship in the Muslim-majority country.
The Coptic Orthodox Church released the names of the three monks killed in South Africa, namely Abbot Hegumen Takla el-Samuely, Abbot Yostos ava Markos and Abbot Mina ava Markos. All three are Egyptian citizens.
The Coptic Orthodox Church of South Africa said el-Samuely was a representative of the local diocese.
The Coptic Church also has its own pope, currently Pope Tawadros II. The South African Diocese said Pope Tawadros II was aware of reports of the attack and was still “waiting to be informed of the cause.”
Egypt's ambassador to South Africa visited the monastery after learning of the attack, the South African Coptic Orthodox Church said. Egypt's Foreign Ministry said it had communicated with ministries in South Africa. (rd/hour)