Kidnappers of Coptic pastor ‘have not demanded ransom’

A Coptic pastor who was abducted in South Darfur a month ago is still in the hands of his kidnappers.

Rev. Gabriel Athony, who serves the Holy Mary Girgis Coptic Church, was abducted by three gunmen in a Land Cruiser from Nyala on 11 April. He was reportedly working on his farm with his brother. 

His church in Nyala has denied rumours that it has communicated with the kidnappers over a ransom demand.

The church secretary said: “The fate of Anthony has remained unknown so far and there were no communications from the kidnappers; neither with the church nor his family, to demand a ransom. The identity of the kidnappers is so far unknown.”

A statement on the official website of the Coptic Church reads that “there are a lot of rumours, but everything that is said is not true. The kidnappers have not communicated with us or basically announced themselves to ask for a ransom.”

The church further said that they “unfortunately have no news about Anthony’s health, whether he has been harmed or killed”.

Many Copts in Sudan descend from Egyptian Copts who migrated to the neighbouring country. Sudan now has a native Coptic minority.