Coptic Egyptian doctor and wife killed at home in Libya

Coptic Egyptian doctor Magdy Sobhy Tawfiq and his wife were killed at their home by unidentified armed assailants in the Libyan city of Sirte on Tuesday.

The couple’s 18-year-old daughter was abducted and is being held in an unknown location, while their two younger children were left at the crime scene, state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper reported.

The victims were reportedly found handcuffed at their home in Sirte, east of the Libyan capital Tripoli.

A Libyan official said the motive for the crime was probably sectarian, since nothing was stolen from the house. Six thousand Libyan Dinars were found on a table next to the bodies, and the wife’s jewellery was untouched, eliminating theft from the equation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Tuesday saying they were following the incident with great concern, and are reportedly in close communication with Libyan Authorities to demand a quick investigation into the killings.

The ministry called on all Egyptians in Libya to be cautious and stay away from areas where clashes often take place. They also advised against all non-essential travel to Libya until the security situation stabilizes.

Eastern Libya, which is dominated by Islamist militias, has witnessed a number of sectarian killings against foreigners in the past few months.

In February, Seven Coptic Egyptians were found in the Libyan capital of Benghazi with gunshot wounds to the head and chest. They were handcuffed and medical examinations suggested they likely died immediately. The ambulance transferring them to the hospital was also attacked in a drive-by shooting, injuring the driver and a medic.