An Egyptian Christian who married a Muslim convert to Christianity was pulled off an international flight this afternoon in Cairo, Egypt, and is being held by Egyptian secret police.

Bolis Rezek-Allah had an immigrant visa to Canada, according to the U.S.- based monitor Voice of the Martyrs, or VOM.

His wife, Enas Badawi, also is sought by police but has not been apprehended, VOM said.

Egypt bars Christian men from marrying Muslim women. The government, refusing to recognize Badawi's conversion, still recognizes her as a Muslim.

"It is interesting that the Egyptian government has no problem with Muslim men marrying Christian women," said VOM spokesman Todd Nettleton in a statement. "But they won't recognize the right of Christian men to marry Muslim women."

Nettleton noted the Egyptian government claims to give its citizens religious freedom.

"There is complete freedom for Christians if they want to convert to Islam, but no freedom for Muslims to choose to follow Christ," he said.

Related special offer:

Get a free subscription to Voice of the Martyrs newsletter