The Coptic Orthodox Church declined to issue a statement on the decision to bar priests Philopater and Mattias Nasr from leaving Egypt after they were accused of premeditated murder, attempted raid on a government building – the state radio & TV office, and setting vehicles and public property on fire during the October 9 incidents in the area of Maspero.

"We will not interfere in the judiciary's affairs nor will we issue any statements in this respect. The decision to ban the priests from traveling outside Egypt is a precautionary one," said Bishop Bīsantī of Helwan and al-Ma'ṣarah