MAMDOUH THABIT
Associated Press

ASSIUT, Egypt (AP) — A security official says a southern Egyptian court has sentenced a journalist who is a Christian convert to five years in prison on charges of inciting sectarianism.

The Criminal Court of Minya issued its verdict on Monday against Beshoy Armia, a 32-year-old Christian convert who works as a reporter for a US-based Christian TV network called “The Road.” He was arrested last December and charged of publishing false news to incite sectarian strife.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s population. Converting from Islam to Christianity is a taboo in Egypt.

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