Egyptian Man Faces Death Penalty After Converting to Christianity

An Egyptian man is facing either a life sentence or the death penalty following his conversion from Islam to Christianity, according to reports published in June 2026. The case has drawn sharp attention from international Christian advocacy organizations who say it highlights the legal dangers faced by converts in Egypt.

Under Egyptian law, apostasy, the act of leaving Islam, is not explicitly criminalized as a standalone offense. However, prosecutors have used related charges, including blasphemy and contempt of religion, to pursue cases against converts. Penalties under these statutes can range from imprisonment to death.

Premier Christian News, which first reported the case, did not identify the man by name, citing safety concerns. Advocacy groups say the man has been held in custody while the case proceeds through the Egyptian court system.

Egypt has a Coptic Christian population estimated at around 10 percent of the country's roughly 105 million people. Coptic Christians have faced periodic violence and discrimination, but converts from Islam face a distinct set of legal and social pressures. Family members of converts have in some cases pursued legal action against relatives who leave the faith.

International Christian organizations, including Open Doors, have consistently ranked Egypt among the countries where Christians face significant pressure. The 2026 Open Doors World Watch List placed Egypt at number 38 globally for Christian persecution.

Human rights groups have called on Egyptian authorities to drop the charges and release the man. The Egyptian government has not issued a public statement on the case.