Coptic Solidarity Launches Australian Campaign to Free Egyptian Christian Imprisoned for Leaving Islam
Coptic Solidarity (CS) is formally petitioning the Australian government to help free Said Mansour Abdelrazek (Rezk) from an Egyptian prison.
The Christian advocacy group is also asking Australians to rally on his behalf by supporting the campaign.
Rezk, a social media influencer, was imprisoned in July 2025 for criticising Islam and converting to Christianity.
Fleeing Egypt for political asylum in Russia, he was later deported.
The Russian government revoked his refugee status after threats from Muslim groups stating that Rezk’s online criticisms of Islam would trigger mass social unrest.
Upon his return to Egypt in 2024, Rezk was arrested by the country’s majority Muslim regime at the airport.
Released, he was then put on a watchlist.
Rezk was rearrested in 2025 and charged with terrorism, simply because he chose freedom in Christ over the “charm” of Islam.
Humanitarian Mission for Family Reunion
Reaching out to The Daily Declaration, Lindsay Rodriguez — CS’s US Director of Development and Advocacy — said the ultimate goal of the campaign is to reunite Said with his fiancée, Sophie, in Australia.
To achieve this, CS said they would be directly approaching the current Home Affairs boss, Tony Burke, and Australia’s US Ambassador, Kevin Rudd.
CS’s Freedom4Said petition can be signed here.
The appeal is an urgent request asking for the Albanese government to petition Egypt for both Rezk’s release and protection. His six-month incarceration appears to be indefinite.
Appearing to constantly disregard appeals from his lawyer, Egyptian authorities renew Rezk’s imprisonment every 15 days.
Although Rezk is an Egyptian national, his fiancée, Sophie, is an Australian citizen, and she has real concerns about his well-being.
Consequently, Australia’s government is being respectfully asked to “take immediate diplomatic and humanitarian action on his behalf.”
Rezk converted to Christianity in 2016.
“Since then, he has faced relentless persecution by Egyptian authorities, including arbitrary detention, torture, forced divorce, separation from his child, and prolonged surveillance.”
As The Daily Declaration has previously explained, intolerance for Christians violates Egypt’s constitution, which allows religious freedom for the three Abrahamic religions.
Doing What’s Right
Citing the Islamic terrorist attack at Bondi as evidence of the cost of such intolerance, CS asserted that Albanese “acting decisively for someone persecuted on similar grounds would powerfully reaffirm Australia’s values.”
In other words, the embattled “visas for votes” Labor Party has an opportunity to right some serious wrongs.
CS is therefore specifically asking the Australian government to:
- “Grant Mr Abdelrazek a humanitarian or protection visa, enabling reunification with his fiancée in Australia (The Department of Home Affairs acknowledged receipt of his XB 202 visa application in May 2024).”
- “Use Australia’s good offices to press Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr Said Abdelrazek.”
- “Raise his case through bilateral diplomatic channels and relevant UN forums, emphasising Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law.”
By issuing the petition, CS is banking on Australia’s “longstanding commitment” to defending the human rights of the displaced and downtrodden.
They hope the country’s tradition of being a place of legitimate refuge to the persecuted will be extended to Rezk.
Securing Rezk’s freedom would, CS concluded, “reaffirm Australia’s legacy and send a clear message that freedom of belief must be universal and protected.”
Rezk’s case is not an anomaly.
Christian journalist Ramy Kamel suffered similar injustices between 2020 and 2022. (Read more about his story here.)
Other recent serious incidents include the imprisonment of theologian and pastor Dr Augustine Samaan, and the oppression of Christian women, which CS described in a 2020 report as a “jihad of the womb.”
Join with CS in asking the Albanese government to secure Rezk’s release.
Please consider joining Coptic Solidarity‘s Australian campaign to free Said Mansour Rezk by signing their petition here:
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“Although Rezk is an Egyptian national, his fiancée, Sophie, is an Australian citizen, and she has real concerns about his well-being.”
I would have serious concerns about his well-being in an Egyptian prison as I knew someone, a full Aussie, who was arrested and put in one because he left his ID in his hotel room and didn’t have anything on him when some police randomly stopped him out shopping for gifts before returning home to Australia. He spent 12 months in isolation and was caned leaving him with 12 huge scars across his back. How many people are in these prisons and elsewhere is anyone’s guess but the numbers would be huge, how many too are forgotten with no voice for them anywhere.
Having to turn to the Albanese govt for help whom I have no confidence in to protect us here let alone help someone overseas is painful as its asking for help for a Christian whom this govt has done everything they can to erode everything truly Christian in values and speech here and eradicate its influence for good from general society.
But I guess when there is no other option then it’s the only option, even if it would be the last on the list if there were several more. Pray for this man and his safety and strength in Christ and for the Govt to step up and act like a Govt supposedly serving the people should.
Great article Rod!!! Indeed a worthy cause!!!!
Coptic Christians are good people.I wear a cross, a gift to me from an Ethiopian taxi driver. Being a Christian in Muslim Egypt is a “crime’ despite the Constitution ” protecting ” his Right to practise Christianity .To them he is an “apostate ” who should be executed. Shame on Christian Russia for deporting him back. I will sign the Petition but not have much hope with this Muslim-loving Albanese govt. which is doing its best to destroy Christianity in Australia.
I have more faith in the US politicians , so, I intend to join Coptic Solidarity to end this criminal abuse , and, that of Jihad of the Womb (includes case of 57 abducted UK girls ) which could happen here .
If Tony Burke could facilitate the return of ISIS brides, surely it’s not asking too much to rescue a Christian with an Australian connection?
Oh Lord, have mercy!
Jesus, come back soon 🙏