Is it Safe to Travel to Egypt? FCO Issues Advice after Christian Woman Stabbed to Death

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued safety advice for travelling within Egypt after several attacks on tourists and Christians.

An Egyptian pharmacist has been arrested in connection with the death of Madeleine Wagih, a Christian woman, earlier this month. Mahmoud Mohamed Ali Hamid, who is currently in custody over the attack, is reportedly preparing to plead insanity.

It was just one example of violence that has plagued the country following the military's ousting of former president Mohamed Morsi last August.

Several acts of violence have been carried out on Christian doctors and pharmacists, along with other tourists, since the deadly clashes between pro-Morsi demonstrators and the army.

Kidnappings have become endemic, churches have been ransacked and Christians have been targeted. They are generally seen as having access to money and being supporters of the military takeover that drove the Muslim Brotherhood underground.

Although the military-run interim government has outllawed the Brotherhood and rounded up its officials, Egypt's Christian leaders have complained that security forces do not show the same determination to go after perpetrators of attacks on Christians.

Last week, an Islamic militant group bombed a bus filled with South Korean christians in Taba, South Sinai, close to the Israeli border at Eilat. At least four people were killed and over 30 were injured.

The tourists have been travelling to the Middle East to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the bombing of their church. The group were scheduled to visit biblical sites throughout Turkey, Egypt and Israel for 12 days.

The Islamist militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (ABM) claimed responsibility for the attack. The organisation is reportedly funded and supported by select individuals affiliated with Hamas, located in the Gaza strip. According to a recent statement, the ABM claimed one of their "heroes" detonated the bus heading towards Israel, as part of their economic war "on the current regime".

The FCO have advised against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai. The office has also cautioned against all but essential travel to the Governorates or Beni Suef, Minya, Asyut and Sohag. South Sinai should also be avoided, with the exception of the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier - which includes the airport, Sharm de Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq.

Warnings have been issued of potential violence surrounding anniversaries in Egypt, which are expected to prompt protests and demonstrations. According to the FCO, the atmosphere at demonstrations can change quickly and without warning, in which police may use water cannon, tear gas or live ammunition for crowd control.

According to the FCO, British Nationals were singled out and attacked in the protests at the end of January. There is a strong risk of sexual assault at demonstrations, with NGOs reporting over 100 rapes and sexual attacks against women since June 2013. Both foreign and Egyptian women are at risk fo being attacked.

There is a high threat from terrorism, particularly against protesters and Egyptian authorities. The FCO have stated security forces and government buildings are at risk, although attacks on foreigners cannot be ruled out.