The security authorities are continuing their pressure on Martha to revert to Islam. State prosecution had on Tuesday 30.12.2008 renewed detention of Martha Samuel (24) for a further 15 days pending investigation. Egyptian human rights organizations report that lawyers representing Martha have been prevented from visiting her. They also reported further inhumane treatment of Martha inside Al-Qanater Prison, where she has been transferred two weeks ago. These include not being fed regularly, in addition to continuous assaults by women inmates, on recommendation of the security authorities. Egypt for Christ Ministry reported that Martha’s husband, Fadel Thabet (32) who was previously released, was again detained by State Security Service in Alexandria and no one knows his whereabouts.
All organs of the Ministry of Interior deny holding him. Martha and her husband Fadel Thabet were arrested at Cairo Airport on December 13, 2008. She was charged with forging her passport, by changing her Muslim name of Zeinab Said Abdel-Aziz to her Christian name of Martha Samuel Makkar.
They were trying to travel to Russia, accompanied by their two sons (4 years and 2 years).in order to escape from the continuous chasing of Martha by the Egyptian police and her own family, who have been trying to kill her for 5 years as a result of her conversion to Christianity.