Bahaa Gamal Mikhail Silvanus (23), a conscript in the Egyptian Army and the only Christian in his unit stationed in Suez, was found dead on 24 June in a chair in the office of the military base where he was stationed, with two bullet wounds in his chest and a gun at his feet.
The army says Silvanus killed himself. His family, friends and church pastors don’t believe it, because, first of all, Bahaa Silvanus was a happy man with a strong faith, a university degree in music and plans to enter the monastic life. Secondly, someone who kills himself with a gun never shoots more than once.
Keeping quiet
The army – and Egyptian media – have said little publicly about his death. Meanwhile, hundreds of people attended his funeral on 25 June in his hometown of Rezkit Deir Al-Muharraq, in the Assiut Governorate in Upper Egypt.
