The Gaza-based Army of Islam militant group denied accusations by Egypt's Interior Ministry that it was responsible for the Alexandria church attacks that killed more than 20 people on New Year’s Eve.
The accusations were made by Egypt's Minister of Interior Habib al-Adly and were labeled as "false" by the group. A statement of denunciation is expected to be made by the pro-Al-Qaeda group later today.
Al-Adly said "conclusive evidence" showed that the shadowy, Gaza-based Army of Islam was behind the planning and execution of the attack, which sparked three days of Coptic rioting in Cairo and several other cities. It was the deadliest attack against Copts in Egypt in more than a decade.
He also suggested that the group recruited Egyptians in the planning and execution of the attack, but that this could not conceal the role it played in the "callous and terrorist" act.
In 2006, the Army of Islam worked with Hamas in Gaza on capturing Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006 and BBC journalist Alan Johnston, who was later released.
