Czech officials offer condolences to Egypt in wake of bombings

Czech officials have sharply condemned the two bombing attacks on churches in Egypt and offered condolences to the families of the victims. In a letter to his Egyptian counterpart Sherif Ismail, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said he was deeply shaken by news of fresh violence against innocent civilians celebrating a religious holiday, condemning it as a contemptible demonstration of force aimed at spreading fear and bringing destruction to the free world. Our thoughts are with the people of Egypt and with those who have lost their loved ones, the prime minister wrote. Culture Minister Daniel Herman said the attack against Christian churches was one more futile attempt to drown Jesus’ message in blood. Hatred shall not have the final word, the culture minister wrote. At least 45 people were killed in the bombing of churches in Alexandria and Tanta on Sunday.