ISIS assassinates Egyptian Coptic priest

The Islamic State group (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the assassination of an Egyptian Coptic priest, Raphael Moussa, who was targeted by ISIS members in the city of El-Arish.

Egypt's interior minister confirmed the killing of a Coptic priest in the provincial capital of El-Arish on Thursday evening (June 30). The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the killing of Raphael Moussa online, accusing him of "fighting Islam." No other source has yet confirmed the involvement of IS in the assassination.

Ahmed Tayyeb, the president of Al-Azhar University, which is considered the main religious authority for Muslims in Egypt, called the assassination of Musa disgusting and condemned it.

Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population. In recent years, this segment of the Egyptian population has increasingly complained of discrimination and has been the target of attacks by radical Islamists.