An Islamist militia behind prior attacks in Libya is thought to be responsible for the execution-style shootings of seven Egyptian Christians found on February 24, east of Benghazi.
The militia, Ansar al-Sharia, has offered a reward to Benghazi residents who help them round up the rest of the Libyan capital’s Christians, according to rights groups.
Abducted at gunpoint
Security officials found the bodies of seven Coptic Christians. The seven men had been shot in the head ‘execution style’, according to local security officials. Neighbours said that gunmen had come to the men’s apartment building in Garoutha, a suburb in Benghazi, the night before and asked who was Christian, according to Egyptian human rights groups. The gunmen then abducted them at gunpoint and forced the Coptic Christians into a car and drove off, according to rights groups. The men were not seen alive again.