Cairo: Voices have been raised in Egypt pushing for military trials for people involved in terrorist attacks after a bombing at the main Coptic cathedral of the country’s Christian minority left 25 worshippers dead.

The bombing in a church next to the St Mark’s Coptic Cathedral in central Cairo is the deadliest against Egyptian Christians in nearly six years.

Lawmaker Abdul Rahim Ali Monday said he had presented to parliament a draft bill proposing amending a terrorism-related law to transfer terror cases to military tribunals.

“This amendment comes in view of the various forms of terrorism being witnessed in Egypt,” Ali, a pro-government lawmaker for a Cairo constituency, said in a statement.

Egypt has seen a spate of deadly attacks since the army’s 2013 overthrow of Islamist president Mohammad Mursi following massive protests against his one-year rule.

On Friday, six Egyptian policemen were killed in a bomb attack near Cairo.

“The situation in Egypt necessitates legislative interference to face this criminal phenomenon by introducing amendments to laws related to terrorism crimes,” Ali said.

“This can be fulfilled through deterrent penalties and swift steps.”

It was not immediately clear when the legislature will debate Ali’s proposal.

His suggestion echoes increasing calls from Egyptians who criticise lengthy procedures at civil courts handling terror-related cases.

Under Egyptian law, only those involved in attacks on army installations are subject to military prosecution.

Advocates say military trials ensure swift procedures and verdicts.

Critics say military trials are usually held behind closed doors and adopt hasty procedures that do not guarantee a fair trial.

Sunday’s attack comes amid a high-profile campaign by Egypt against Islamist insurgents, mainly in the volatile northern Sinai.

President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi Monday met with the country’s top security officials to discuss the aftermath of the attack on the church.

Al Sissi called for bringing perpetrators of the bombing to justice as soon as possible, his spokesman Alaa Yousuf said.

“The state is determined to ensure retribution for innocent Egyptian victims of this incident,” Yousuf quoted Al Sissi as saying.

Al Sissi urged Egyptians to get united “in face of heinous terrorism”.

No one has claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack that came less than a month before the Coptic Orthodox Christmas celebrated on January 7.